Chicago Bears could be a solid fit for speedy veteran receiver in free agency

The Chicago Bears offense will operate much differently in the 2025 season under new head coach Ben Johnson. With the offensive line allowing 68 sacks this past season, the trenches with be a huge priority for the Bears front office with free agency opening up in just over a month.

Along with a need for help upfront, a new target will be brought in for Caleb Williams ahead of his second season in the league. He operated with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen and tight end Cole Kmet as a rookie, but the new scheme from Johnson will change the way things look moving forward.

Allen doesn’t fit Johnson’s mold for a wide receiver due to his lack of speed. The veteran isn’t likely to return for the upcoming season, leaving a hole for the front office to fill. If they want to attack the need in free agency, there are a few different options they could pursue. One obvious candidate is coming off an injury but has the NFL track record to make a big impact for 2025.

Hollywood Brown would make sense for the Chicago Bears

Hollywood Brown inked a one-year deal with the Kansas Chiefs last offseason after spending the previous two years with the Arizona Cardinals. Brown took a risk by betting on himself with a one-year contract and it unfortunately did not go the way he would have liked due to injury.

The veteran went on the IR with a shoulder injury and missed the first 14 games of the season because of it. In the two regular season and two playoff matchups that he has played in so far this year, Brown has just nine catches for 91 yards.

Brown’s play style relies on speed early and often, which is right on par for what Johnson could be looking to add alongside Moore and Odunze in the receiver room. He finished his time with the Cardinals having over 1,200 yards in two seasons and had his first 1,000 yard campaign of his career in 2021 with the Ravens.

If Brown does not return to Kansas City, he will be playing on his third team in three years. He was a first round draft choice of the Ravens in 2019 and he played his college ball at Oklahoma. Brown has 28 career scores and averages over 11 yards per catch in his six seasons in the league.

The contract for Hollywood Brown would be a good price to pay

Due to Brown dealing with a shoulder injury for most of 2024, he will likely sign another one year contract this offseason. Chicago has nearly $70 million in available cap space at their disposal before roster cuts which makes them a perfect financial candidate for Brown.

The Chiefs gave the speedster $11 million this season, but Brown would be lucky to get half of that offered his way in free agency. With his experience and success in the NFL, the Bears have no excuse to not meet with Brown to talk about a deal in March.

With the draft not being as much of a given with wide receivers outside of the first two days, it might be smarter for the Bears to pursue one in free agency. Based on what they need in their new scheme, Brown would be an excellent fit for the organization.