ESPN BREAKING NEWS: Bears Land Veteran WR & Pick for Justin Fields in Proposed Trade

If the Chicago Bears opt to move quarterback Justin Fields this offseason, they are likely to gain an additional draft pick or two. Could one of their prospective suitors for Fields sweeten the deal with a seasoned wide receiver?

ESPN’s Field Yates believes the Las Vegas Raiders may be willing to oblige. In a recent piece appraising Chicago’s pending quarterback dilemma with Fields and the No. 1 pick, he advocated that the Raiders trade their 2024 third-round pick (No. 77 overall) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow to get Fields from the Bears.

“While Renfrow is likely otherwise a cap casualty for Las Vegas, he posted 103 catches and 1,038 yards in 2021 and could help Chicago on offence,” Yates noted on the twenty-first of February. Darnell Mooney, an upcoming free agent, led the Bears in slot receiving snaps last season. As part of the agreement, I’d like to see Renfrow’s contract renegotiated. Let’s say one year and up to $7 million in incentives.

Renfrow may be an interesting addition to the Bears’ slot, especially if Yates’ proposed contract renegotiation is considered. Mooney and Equanimeous St. Brown will become unrestricted free agents in March, leaving DJ Moore, Tyler Scott, and Velus Jones Jr. as Chicago’s top three returning receivers for the upcoming season. More depth is required, and someone with 269 career catches may be part of the solution.

Still, with so many other receiver choices, the Bears may be hesitant to sign a 29-year-old whose output has plummeted over the last two seasons.

How valuable would Hunter Renfrow be to the Bears?
Two years ago, Renfrow appeared to be on his way to greatness with the Raiders. He concluded the 2021 season with 103 catches for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns, earning his first career Pro Bowl appearance. His efforts also led the Raiders to sign him to a two-year, $32 million extension in the 2022 offseason, which was a commendable reward.

Renfrow, on the other hand, has almost completely disappeared from the Raiders’ offence since then. He has only made 61 total receptions in the last two seasons, concluding with a career-low 255 receiving yards in 2023. He has also seen his target share fall substantially, from 128 targets in 2021 to just 87 targets combined over the last two years.

Davante Adams’ arrival in Las Vegas in 2022 was certain to have an influence on Renfrow’s output, but despite playing every game in 2023, he finished sixth on the team in receiving yards, trailing only two rookies and a running back.

Even if the Bears believe Renfrow can still be a quality receiver, they must consider whether he is worth more to them than higher-quality draft capital. Yates’ current plan requires the Raiders to give up a third-round pick, but removing Renfrow may force them to raise the offer to their second-round pick at No. 44 overall.

This might be tremendously beneficial for the Bears, who do not have a second-round pick.

According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders are also attempting to sell Renfrow, most likely to avoid paying his $13.7 million cap cost for next season. Alternatively, they may cut him for a cap savings of $8.21 million to $11.88 million, depending on the timing of the transaction.

If the Bears like him, why not wait until he hits free agency?
Raiders Show ‘Genuine Interest’ in Justin Fields Trade

A trade plan that involves the Bears obtaining Renfrow has flaws. But, according to NFL analyst Tony Pauline, the Raiders-Fields connection has legs.

“The Las Vegas Raiders have a genuine interest in acquiring Fields and will [explore] trading for him,” Pauline wrote for Sportskeeda on February 21. “Yet insiders tell me that Tom Telesco, the team’s general manager since January 23, wants a big name at quarterback. The fact that the team has signed former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will make Fields’ transition easier.

If the Raiders make an offer for Fields, the No. 44 pick is requesting compensation. If he is in competition, they may attach a future selection (with limitations). However, the Bears may be interested in some of the players on Las Vegas’ roster.

Chicago would want to inquire about the availability of free safety Tre’von Moehrig. The 2021 second-round pick has struggled to live up to the promise he displayed as a rookie, but the Bears need a new free safety after releasing Eddie Jackson. Perhaps a one-year investment in Moehrig, who has a $2.51 million cap charge in 2024, is a cheap method for them to replace him, or at least provide competition for a rookie.