By Tyler ErzbergerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Chicago Bears want more.
After a fairytale season in which they won the NFC North and almost beat the loaded Los Angeles Rams to reach the NFC Championship Game, Ben Johnson and his young Bears team don't just want to return to where they were; they want to go further.
On Thursday, they traded away DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills following an up-and-down final season in Chicago. The lasting memory of the top wide receiver will be in that Rams game, where he was caught jogging on a route that could have sent the Bears to Seattle for the NFC title game.
Instead, Moore didn't finish his route, and the Rams intercepted Caleb Williams. They promptly marched down the field and eliminated the Bears from the playoffs.
With Moore gone, a lot of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and the sophomore tight end Colston Loveland when it comes to catching balls from Williams in 2026.
But there is an opportunity for the Bears to grab another dynamic wide receiver with their late first-round pick.
More news: Chicago Bears Emerge as Heavy Favorite for Maxx Crosby
...More news: Surprise Team Suddenly Linked to Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
It's one of the deepest drafts for wideouts in a decade, and there are a slew of receivers with the talent and pedigree to be stars in the NFL for a long time, depending on whether they can grow into their potential.
National champion Elijah Sarratt of the Indiana Hoosiers ended his college season looking like he'd go in the second round, but recently been moving up on pundit mock drafts as a mid-to-late first-rounder.
A partnership between Saratt and Odunze could give the Bears two of the strongest, biggest wide receivers if they can both reach their ceiling. In a perfect world, Williams could use both on the sidelines, creating havoc for the secondary, with their ability to get the ball into their hands unmatched in college over the past few years.
Although the Bears are expected to focus on their own secondary this April with the Draft, don't be surprised if Saratt is on their radar following the departure of Moore.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Related Podcasts
Top Stories
WorldIran War Live: Hegseth Says Trump Already Has ‘Heck of a Say’ in Who Runs Iran3 min read
NewsmakersChef Charlie Mitchell on How Authenticity Brought Him Michelin Star Success6 min read
U.S.Full List of Republicans Voting to Curb Trump’s Iran War4 min read
For MembersAnalysisThe Mystery of the ‘Missing’ Trump Epstein Files And What Happens Next5 min read
For MembersNewsUncommon Knowledge: Can Trump Trigger Regime Change in America’s Closest Ally?7 min read
WorldNATO Country Lifts Cold War–Era Ban on Importing Nuclear Weapons5 min readTrending
NORADUS Scrambles Fighter Jets After Russian Anti-Submarine Planes Intercepted3 min read
Donald TrumpDonald Trump’s Approval Rating Changes Direction5 min read
ICEDemocrat Suffers Heavy Election Defeat After Backing Pro-ICE Bill4 min read
Winter StormHeavy Snow Warning as 20 Inches Set to Hit3 min read
SNAP benefitsSNAP Benefits Update as Junk Food Waiver List Expanded3 min readOpinion
For MembersOpinionConventional Wisdom: Iran War Edition4 min read
For MembersOpinionConventional Wisdom: Let’s Make a Deal Edition5 min read
OpinionTrump’s Iran Escalation Will Be the Next Iraq War | Opinion5 min read
OpinionThe Curious Case of the Guthrie Kidnapping | Opinion5 min read
OpinionThe Pentagon Is Trying to Strip AI of Its Ethics. The Law Won’t Allow It | Opinion5 min read