The Chicago Bears may be on the verge of losing one of their up-and-coming playmakers for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday that the New Orleans Saints had signed wide receiver Cameron Meredith to an offer sheet. Because he is a restricted free agent, the Bears will now have the opportunity to match that offer sheet. They may choose to do so depending on the terms of the offer sheet, which were reported to be in the ballpark of two years and $10 million.
Terms update: Saints signing Bears’ RFA WR Cameron Meredith to a 2-year offer sheet, per source. Expecting money to be about $5 million per year - 2 years, roughly $10 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2018
Meredith on the move?
Cameron Meredith showed a lot of promise during the 2016 season, when he caught 66 passes for 888 yards and four touchdowns.
He never had the chance to improve upon that season in 2017, though. In just the third preseason game, the wide receiver suffered a knee injury that turned out to be a torn ACL. The Bears immediately placed him on injured reserve, ending his season atop the Bears' receiver depth chart before it could even begin.
At the start of the offseason, the team assigned Meredith an original round tender, which added up to just under $2 million; the Saints' offer sheet, therefore, would more than double what he was in line to potentially be paid next season. Meredith also took trips to visit the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts, but clearly felt a connection to New Orleans.
Nobody truly stepped up in Meredith's absence last season, so fans will clamor for the team to give him another chance to shine.
Chicago is officially on the clock when it comes to matching New Orleans' offer.
How he fits in New Orleans
Meredith hasn't played with any exceptional quarterbacks yet in his brief NFL career. Being able to catch passes from Drew Brees in New Orleans will give him an opportunity to prove whether he just looked better than his fellow receivers in Chicago, or if he can truly be an elite option for a contending Super Bowl team.
New Orleans Saints receivers coach Curtis Johnson has a relationship with Meredith going back to their shared days in Chicago, so Johnson clearly sees potential in having his guy move down to the Big Easy. Michael Thomas is clearly the top guy on the receiving attack, but Meredith could likely usurp Willie Snead for the role of second option.
Brees is nearing the twilight of his time in New Orleans, so the team is doing everything in their power to give him enough firepower for one more run. Bringing Meredith on board would accomplish that goal.
