2024 Bears Free Agent Target: Marquise Brown |
Although free agency hasn't officially gotten underway yet, it's nice to see the Bears taking an aggressive approach to filling some needs. Adding Kevin Byard on a two-year deal could be a sneaky good pickup, as he will be called upon to take over Eddie Jackson's position.
That is the first of several moves this team needs to make, and one of the moves they need to address is what to do at the WR position next to DJ Moore. The Bears are expected to add either Marvin Harrison Jr or Rome Odunze in the draft, but it will take far more than just either of them to change this passing game. With Darnell Mooney hitting the open market, there is a slight chance that the Bears could bring him back, but at this point, that is a last resort. Not having Mooney on this team will mean the Bears are losing their slot receiver and arguably the fastest WR on their team. In an effort to address both the slot position and the speed itself, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is available and has been linked to the Bears several times this offseason. The former first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens has spent the past two seasons with the Cardinals, coming off an outstanding 2022 but a not-so-great 2023. Part of that was not having Kyler Murray in the fold for half of the season, which is why many expect him to land a deal close to 12 million per year. Set to enter his fifth season this year, Brown won't be a No.1 anymore but would be a very valuable No. 2 or even No. 3 based on what the Bears do, as he could add more depth to a passing game trying to get that depth. Brown played in 14 games for the Cardinals last season, but it wasn't a great season by any means. After averaging better than 900 yards in his first four seasons and seven scores, Brown suffered the worst season of his career last year when he had 51 receptions, 574 yards, and four TDs. Great production, no, but that would have been better than what Mooney or any other Bears WR would've done last season, so there is some value to that. Take what you will from the season Brown had last year, but the Cardinals were one of the worst teams in the NFL, and they didn't have their starting quarterback for half of the season. When you look at the numbers he put up with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore and when Murray was healthy, Brown has shown he can be a No. 1 in some cases but has thrived as a No. 2, which the Bears currently don't have. Looking to get back to the level he was at prior to last year, Brown needs a change of scenery, and the Bears could be the place that gives him the situation he needs without the pressure of being the so-called guy. For Brown to succeed, he needs to go to a team with the players around him to make him successful. With Brown and potentially another WR coming in the first round, the Bears will have the players around Brown to make him successful and that is all you can ask for. Although his lack of production last year should drive his price down, the past numbers say differently, as he will still garner a somewhat pricy contract. As concerning as that is, Brown is motivated to prove last season wasn't a sign of things to come, as Brown could come into the season with a chip on his shoulder. Going from the No. 1 role to either a No. 2 or No. 3 would be a significant change for Brown, but a change he would take on head first. He instantly became one of the best, if not the best, No. 3 options, and you could have the same case for the No. 2, depending on what the Bears would do with him. Brown has shown the ability to be a star in the NFL, and adding him would be a risk, but a risk worth taking if you are the Bears owner.
