Bears Blitz

Published by Zach Kruse on March 7, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

You don’t have to look long to stumble upon speculation that the Chicago Bears might pursue free-agent receiver Vincent Jackson. 

Three media outlets, at the very bare minimum, have connected the Bears and Jackson since the San Diego Chargers decided against franchise-tagging their No. 1 receiver on Monday. 

FOXSports.com’s Jay Glazer tweeted that the Bears are “very much” in the running for Jackson, but they’ll be “far from alone.” Several teams are expected to battle the Bears’ for Jackson’s services.

Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com also put Jackson on the Bears’ radar.

Believed to be one of the teams expected to make a run at Jackson, the Chicago Bears certainly aren’t complaining. But they’d better be preparing their best offer for Jackson because there’s sure to be competition for his services from a variety of clubs, including the Chargers, which continue to negotiate with representatives for the receiver on a long-term contract.  

Finally, Jason La Canfora of NFL Network wrote that a bidding war could be coming for Jackson, but Chicago will be one of the teams participating.

A number of teams need a No. 1 receiver and many of those same teams just happen to have a ridiculous amount of cap room, as well. Washington and Chicago could end up in a bidding war here, and Jackson is going to end up making more than $10 million a year.

It’s fairly easy to see why this connection makes sense on both levels. 

The Bears haven’t had a No. 1 receiver on their roster since the days of Marty Booker and Marcus Robinson. We’re talking almost 10 years of ineptitude at the receiver position in Chicago.

Former Bears GM Jerry Angelo attempted to find one last offseason when he signed Roy Williams, but that experiment fizzled out early. Johnny Knox has shown flashes, but there’s serious questions about his NFL career moving forward after a horrific back injury late last season.

And then there’s Earl Bennett, who got a contract extension last season and knows quarterback Jay Culter well. He simply hasn’t been consistent enough for the Bears to consider him a legitimate No. 1 moving forward.

According to Pro Football Focus, a site that grades every player on every play, only Knox graded out with a positive number in 2011.

Adding Jackson would seemingly solve that glaring need.  

The No. 1 receiver on the free-agent market, Jackson would immediately improve a Bears offense that is a piece or two away from being a consistent top-10 unit. The offensive line obviously still needs help, but receiver arguably tops the Bears’ wish list this offseason.

Jackson graded out higher than all the Bears’ receivers combined last season, according to PFF.

In his last four seasons, Jackson has three 1,000-yard years and 28 touchdown receptions. He also has a 17.5-yard career per-catch average, which goes to show what kind of big-play threat the 6’5″ Jackson can be. Teamed with big-armed quarterback Jay Cutler, the two could form a dangerous tandem in 2012 and beyond. 

And overall, it’s probably time for Jackson to exit San Diego.

He’s battled Chargers management over contract issues for a handful of seasons now, and a holdout after getting the franchise tag in 2010 strained relations. Once on the open market, where Jackson will see offers in the $10-12 million-a-year range, it’s likely that he’ll bolt Southern California.

But will he end up in the Windy City? The fit obviously makes a lot sense on paper. It’s now on newly-hired Bears GM Phil Emery to make the deal happen.  

Not inking a top receiver like Jackson would be a tough start for the new decision-maker in Chicago. 

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