WR Wheaton provides Bears with another threat
The addition of free-agent wide receiver Markus Wheaton doesn't replace the loss of Alshon Jeffery, but he does provide the Bears with another long-ball threat.
At 26, the former Pittsburgh Steeler is a younger option in the slot after back-to-back disappointing, injury-marred seasons from Eddie Royal, who is expected to be released.
Wheaton tore his labrum in the 2016 preseason, tried to play through it for three games and then finally succumbed to December surgery. But a year earlier he showed his big-play prowess, catching 44 passes for 749 yards, a 17.0-yard average and 5 touchdowns. His average per catch was fourth in the NFL among players with 40 or more receptions.
"Markus is a deep threat receiver," Bears GM Ryan Pace said. "I really like his makeup and his toughness going all the way back to Oregon State. He's a guy who can really run and gives us that element in our offense that I think that needs: speed. He's fully cleared (medically) now, and we feel good about that."
The 5-foot-11, 189-pound Wheaton, who was drafted by the Steelers in the third round (79th overall) in 2013, projects to the slot but he can play "all over the field," he said. "I played a lot of slot in Pittsburgh. I was also on the outside a lot. I wouldn't want to put myself in a box and say that I'm a slot guy or outside guy.
"I want to do it all. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity here to move around a lot. I want to make plays, I want to finish down the field."
Feeling the love:
The Bears clearly see Dion Sims as more than a blocking tight end, or they wouldn't have given him a three-year deal for $18 million, including $10 million guaranteed.
The Miami Dolphins were interested in retaining the four-year veteran, but he got more love - and more money - from the Bears.
"I just felt like I was wanted here," said the 6-foot-4, 271-pound former fourth-round draft pick (106th overall). "I feel like it was a great opportunity; a fresh start. It's closer to home (Orchard Lake Village, Michigan). The guys are motivated to get things turned around here, and I wanted to be a part of that."
Sims had career highs of 26 catches and 4 TD grabs last year under coach Adam Gase, the Bears' former offensive coordinator.
"Dion is that 'Y' tight end, more of that in-line tight end," GM Ryan Pace said. "But he's just a well-rounded player. He's very solid in a lot of areas. Obviously Adam's running a similar offense down there to what we're running here, so there won't be much of a transition or learning curve.
"We've liked (Sims) for a long time. He fits the culture, too, of what we want to do here. He's good in space. He's got good ability to sustain his blocks.
Cornering he market:
The Bears made the signing of six-year veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara official.
His one-year deal is for $7 million, including a $3.5 million base and a $3.5 million signing bonus, all of which is guaranteed.
And they continued the job of bolstering the secondary by signing promising cornerback Marcus Cooper to a three-year contract.
Last year with the Arizona Cardinals, Cooper set career highs with 4 interceptions, 1 of which he returned for a TD; 69 tackles and 13 starts. He also led the Cards with 11 pass breakups.
The Wright guy:
The Bears have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent wide receiver Kendall Wright on a one-year deal worth up to $4 million.
The 5-foot-10, 194-pound 2012 first-round pick (20th overall) of the Tennessee Titans caught 94 passes for 1,079 yards in 2013. But his production has plummeted since then, and he had just 29 catches for 416 yards last year.
The Bears also agreed to a one-year deal with offensive tackle Tom Compton, who was a backup for the Atlanta Falcons last season and has started 10 games in four years.
Back for more:
Cornerback Johnthan Banks was re-signed to a one-year contract.
The four-year veteran joined the Bears in December and started the final two games, making 5 tackles and breaking up 1 pass. He has started an additional 37 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013-16) and Detroit Lions. Banks was the Bucs' second-round pick (43rd overall) in 2013 out of Mississippi State.
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