Stock Up, Stock Down after Chicago's rivalry win over Green Bay |
Ariana Pensy
· · 2 hours ago
CHICAGO - For the first time since 2020, the Chicago Bears are back in the playoffs, and they will be looking to win the NFC North for the first time since 2018 with a win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Dec. 28 (7:20 p.m. / NBC).
Wide Receivers / Antwaan Randle El - Stock Up With wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III down, the Bears needed their other wide receivers to step up, including DJ Moore. He stepped into that No. 1 wide receiver role against the Green Bay Packers and was part of, arguably, one of the best plays in recent history for the Chicago Bears with his 44-yard touchdown in overtime. Moore had four other catches throughout the game as well, which is remarkable given he got hit on early in the game and fought through the pain because he knew the Bears needed him in this game. Moore may be having one of the worst seasons of his career statistically, but he has stepped up when Chicago needs him to. Wide receiver Jahdae Walker started his college career at Grand Valley State before transferring to Texas A&M and playing there for two seasons. With A&M, he had 64 receptions for 935 yards and four touchdowns. He was undrafted out of college, but the Bears picked him up. That decision paid dividends against the Packers as Walker caught the touchdown on fourth and goal to tie the game up and send it into overtime. For an undrafted rookie to make that kind of a play is remarkable and also keeps volumes to the culture on the team as a whole, including in the wide receiver room. Antwaan Randle El has always had any available wide receivers ready for every game. It seems unlikely he will stay with the Bears after this season as it would not be surprising if he were the candidate for offensive coordinator positions in the offseason. However, the Bears have definitely benefited from having him here this season. Olamide Zaccheaus - Stock Down All the coaching in the world cannot fix some things. Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus is the only receiver who seems to come onto the field not ready. Throughout the season, including against Green Bay, Zaccheaus has struggled with drops. Especially with such a deep wide receiver room, the Bears cannot afford to keep a player who is not reliable. He will be an undrafted free agent after this season and will probably not return to Chicago. Eric Bieniemy - Stock Up Running backs coach Eric Bieniemy has been in the league for a long time, including working with the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders. However, with all the running back groups Bieniemy has worked with, this may be the best his backs have looked. Running back D’Andre Swift had a subpar season last year, but has turned things around this year under Bieniemy, as he is only seven yards away from 1,000 rushing yards. Seventh-round selection Kyle Monangai has 731 rushing yards and five touchdowns of his own. With Swift and Monangai, Chicago has the second-most rushing yards out of any team in the league. Like Randle El, it would not be surprising if Bieniemy is not with Chicago next season, as he could also become a candidate for other coaching positions. Nahshon Wright - Stock Up It is pretty difficult to increase your stock when you already have eight takeaways. However, he did against Green Bay. When the Bears defense needed a turnover in the red zone, he delivered and now has nine takeaways generated on the season. Wright absolutely delivered to be in the Pro Bowl and that may be the biggest snub from the Pro Bowl this season. If Chicago can find a way to keep him on the roster, that would be ideal.
