Chicago Bears Make Low Risk Move In Trading For N’Keal Harry
The Patriots finally traded wide receiver N’Keal Harry, and he lands with the Chicago Bears in a good fresh start scenario.
The Chicago Bears are in the rebuilding process with first year general manager Ryan Poles. It’s clear that getting the units right around Justin Fields should be a top priority, but the 2022 NFL Draft likely wasn’t what many expected. Instead of offensive line and receiver early, the Bears waited a bit, selecting Velus Jones Jr. in the third round and throwing some darts on day three to improve the line (something this writer doesn’t hate).
Now, the Bears have made a low-risk move to potentially give the receiver group a jolt. They traded a seventh-round selection in 2024 to the New England Patriots for former first-round pick N’Keal Harry.
Harry was the Patriots pick at 31 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, with many analysts praising his physicality and ability to win at the catch point, while also highlighting his strength and agility post-catch.
Harry played in just seven games as a rookie, catching 12 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He improved a bit in his second season, catching 33 passes for 309 yards, again scoring twice. He couldn’t get much footing playing with Mac Jones in 2021, and now he will get a fresh start in Chicago.
Chicago’s current group of course features Darnell Mooney as the top guy, but Jones, Byron Pringle, and Equanimeous St. Brown will fight for position in camp. There’s no reason that Harry couldn’t make some waves during camp and preseason. While he isn’t the best separator, Harry is physical as a run blocker, and could use his post-catch prowess in an offense that will likely feature a ton more quick-hitters with Luke Getsy as the new offensive coordinator coming over from Green Bay.
The expectations shouldn’t be super high, but don’t be surprised if N’Keal Harry could find a way on the roster and prove something to the Chicago Bears in an evaluation year with most of their wide receivers.