Chicago Bears (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
In the next couple of weeks, we are going to start to see plenty of pre-free agency moves around the NFL. Some of these moves could ultimately benefit the Chicago Bears.
Each team has a few select candidates that could end up being cut for one reason and one reason only: they are cap casualties. The Bears have a few of those themselves, in guys like Eddie Goldman, Tarik Cohen, and maybe even Cody Whitehair.
Over the past few days, one NFL star has taken to his Twitter account in order to express his thoughts about the season that was 2021. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry admitted that he played last year while injured, but wanted to give his team everything he had in order to win a Super Bowl.
In the end, it still may result with the Browns cutting ties. Cleveland would only be out $1.5 million if they cut Landry, who is set to count over $15 million against the cap in 2022. Already, there have been rumors swirling about his next step.
If Jarvis Landry becomes available, the Chicago Bears have to find a way to land the star receiver.
3/3 I have put the ball in CLE court by telling them I would like to stay but if not then I’m confident enough in myself to be a better healthy me this year and moving forward to helping do my part in winning a championship elsewhere.
— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) February 22, 2022
This is one of a handful of tweets sent out by Landry, and sure sounds like a man who believes there’s a real possibility the Browns cut him.
Of course, the Bears could be in on Landry if he is released. But, the other possibility is for general manager Ryan Poles to trade for him.
Landry’s salary is a hefty one, but if the Bears were able to secure him in Chicago, then Poles should immediately work on restructuring and extending Landry. That way, it gives the Bears two things: financial flexibility as well as offensive certainty for future seasons.
Knowing that franchise quarterback Justin Fields would have both Landry and Darnell Mooney for at least the next couple of years means his development is expedited. With consistency in his personnel, Fields’ comfort level will only grow.
In Landry, the Bears would be getting a former Pro Bowl wideout who has topped 100 receptions twice in his career. Since coming to Cleveland, his production has dropped off a bit. However, no one really knows what the issue has been in the Browns’ passing game.
After all, some even thought Odell Beckham Jr. was washed because of how Cleveland’s offense looked with him on the field. Maybe it’s not Beckham, or Landry, but either the scheme, coaching or quarterback play.