How Would Chicago Bears Change with Kellen Winslow Joining Jay Cutler?

May 21, 2012 11:55 PM EDT

They can say he doesn't have the dynamic ability he did before his injuries but Kellen Winslow still was the best receiver on his team. Why should a team like the Chicago Bears consider the tight end for Jay Cutler?

Winslow had eyes of the Bears even before NFL free agency started

The NFL is all about priorities, whether it's free agency or the draft. Recent news broke the Chicago actually had interest in trading tight end Kellen Winslow back in March but chose instead to upgrade their wide receivers with Brandon Marshall instead. Two months later and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have Winslow on the roster but no longer the patience to hang on to him. As their own roster undergoes more changes they decided to replace the injury-riddled Winslow with a proven veteran in Dallas Clark. The new came as a surprise. Since joining Tampa Bay, Winslow has led the team in receptions every season despite a torn ACL and a bad staph infection. Most experts think his best days are behind him but many teams could still use a tight end like him. The Chicago Bears are one such team. While the wide receivers have gotten their upgrade, the tight ends have stayed mired in mystery. Kellen Davis is the current starter, an inconsistent blocker and receiver. Matt Spaeth is a hold over from the Mike Martz era, known mostly for his blocking. Winslow would bring top-notch receiving skills in spite of his injury risks, provided the Bears don't pay too much.

Matt Forte and Evan Rodriguez are two players who would fuel the move

So how would Chicago benefit from Winslow coming to town. Jay Cutler made it clear when he became the quarterback that he likes big targets. It's why new GM Phil Emery trade for Brandon Marshall and drafted Alshon Jeffery out of South Carolina. By adding the tight end from Tampa, Cutler would then have four receivers on the starting offense over 6'3" should the team not cut Davis. However there are two other players the Chicago coaches have eyed that might affect whether the team goes after Winslow. The first is rookie 4th round draft pick Evan Rodriguez. The Bears drafted him out of Temple in hopes of him becoming their receiving tight end. Early signs show he's not quite ready to compete for the starting job. Winslow joining the team allows the coaches to turn Rodriguez into a project, something for new offensive coördinator Mike Tice to groom for the future. The other player involved is running back Matt Forte. Fans and coaches aren't totally sure whether the Pro Bowl back will end his holdout for a new contract before the season starts in September. This could leave the offense in a handicapped spot. Bringing in Winslow takes immediate pressure off the other players and gives Cutler a safety net in tight situations.

Kellen Winslow said he has no particular place he wants to go when Tampa Bay trades or cuts him. This means the Chicago Bears could get him cheap if they play their cards right, and if they're still interested. Jay Cutler is a good reason to have interest, along with how it eases the problems with Matt Forte and Evan Rodriguez. Such is the NFL.