JUST IN: In NFL free agency, the Chicago Bears would be foolish to pass on pursuing K.J. Osborn.

This offseason, the Chicago Bears will require extensive receiving support in free agency. Wide receiver K.J. Osborn of the Minnesota Vikings is a name that they should sign.

In NFL free agency, the Chicago Bears would be foolish to pass on pursuing K.J. Osborn.

Former fifth-round pick Osborn was. Osborn had a lackluster first season before making a significant comeback with 655 yards in his second season and 650 yards in his third. The team shifted him a little bit more outside in year four, and he dropped to 540 yards as a result of Kirk Cousins’ departure and Jordan Addison’s arrival. In addition, he decreased from seven touchdowns in 2021 to just three last year, then to six in 2022.

Even at his worst, he would still be a better player than the Chicago Bears, despite what some might say. As a rookie, Tyler Scott played in a depleted wide receiver group and produced 168 yards, averaging 0.68 yards per route ran. Osborn’s career average was 1.11 yards per route ran, compared to 0.97 yards per route run the previous year. He would be a welcome improvement. He used to run 48.5% of his routes from the slot, as previously mentioned, but that number fell to 35.4% last year. The slot would be ideal for him.

Although Scott barely had an opportunity to play in the slot as a rookie and never played there in college, the Chicago Bears are attempting to transition him into that position. They could either bring in Osborn to compete with Scott and see who gets more work in a training camp competition, or they could just trust Scott to start without any evidence that he could do it.

Osborn is slated by PFF for a two-year, $10 million contract, thus the team’s cap situation would not be negatively impacted even if he lost to Scott in a camp duel and was a fourth wide out the following season. K.J. Osborn is a free agent that the Chicago Bears should target to see whether he fits.