Marshall clearly Cutler’s go-to guy

The acquisition of Brandon Marshall doesn’t solve all the Bears’ receiving problems, but it gives quarterback Jay Cutler the No. 1 receiver he’s lacked in his first three years in Chicago.

The uncertain future of Johnny Knox could leave the Bears lacking their best big-play receiver for at least part of the season.

Knox has averaged 19.1 yards per catch the past two seasons (88 catches, 1,687 yards), but there is no guarantee that he’ll be back by the start of the season after having spinal fusion surgery following the wicked hit he took last December.

Earl Bennett is the Bears’ most reliable underneath receiver, but he had a disappointing 2011 season, partially because of an early-season chest injury that sidelined him for five games. He ended with just 24 catches for 381 yards, the second straight season those numbers have fallen off, although his 15.9 yards per catch were a career best. A healthy Bennett is a prime candidate for a bounce-back season.

Devin Hester’s receptions and yards have also plummeted in each of the past two seasons, and his 26 catches for 369 yards last season were his worst numbers since his first NFL season as a wide receiver in 2007. It remains to be seen if less responsibility in the return game can get Hester’s production back to where it was in 2009, when he caught 57 passes for 757 yards.

Eight-year veteran Roy Williams, whose 37 grabs last season tied Knox for the most among Bears wide receivers, remains in free-agent limbo. Because of his impressive play in training camp and the preseason and injuries in the regular season, undrafted rookie Dane Sanzenbacher saw enough action to catch 27 balls for 276 yards, and his 3 TDs were the most among the wide receivers. But, as a possession guy with limited big-play ability, Sanzenbacher needs to eliminate the costly drops of last season.

Unrestricted free-agent pickups Eric Weems, and especially Devin Thomas, could challenge for backup roles.