Bears make last-ditch effort at wide receiver in trade with Patriots

The Chicago Bears picked up former first-round pick N’Keal Harry in a trade with the Patriots in a low-risk move to find a boost for the WR corps.

Justin Fields needed more targets for the 2022 season and the Bears just got him an especially intriguing one.

According to Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport, Chicago traded to acquire Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry.

It’s a move that could pay off hugely or turn out to be a whole lot of nothing.

Bears trade for N’Keal Harry is low-risk, high-reward

Harry was the No. 32 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Arizona State. He was a dominant college receiver with a 6-foot-4, 225-pound stature. He was supposed to come in and give Tom Brady an imposing target for years to come.

Things just didn’t turn out the way the Patriots had hoped. As a rookie, he caught just 12 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. His catch rate was just 50 percent.

His production got marginally better in Year 2 with 33 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. In 2021, he played in just four games.

Harry is an inch away from “bust” territory, but his talent in college was clear. It’s possible a new environment will help him achieve his potential.

The Bears hope that Chicago is that environment.

Fields will now add Harry to a wide receiver corps that includes 2021 leading catcher Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown and rookie addition Velus Jones Jr.

That’s a group full of receivers with potential, but plenty to prove. Pringle, St. Brown and Harry specifically are getting fresh starts. It’ll be fun to see what they do with them.