Bears Sign Depth Wideout Equanimeous St. Brown
A former Packers wide receiver will be joining the Bears but it’s not Davante Adams, nor is it Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Adams has been traded to the Raiders, and Valdez-Scantling is still available with several teams, including Chicago, showing interest. Instead, the Bears have signed depth wideout Equanimeous St. Brown.
Equanimeous St. Brown signaled first down from the bench ? @Equanimeous @packers
? #CHIvsGB on NBC pic.twitter.com/SK7SGBuY8s
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 30, 2020
A former sixth-round pick, St. Brown has spent his entire four-year career with Green Bay in a very modest role. He previously worked with Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy in Title Town, so he has a good understanding of the offensive scheme Getsy plans to deploy in Chicago. The 6-5, 214-pound pass-catcher played at Notre Dame before being selected in the 6th round (No. 207 overall) of the 2018 NFL draft.
Despite the physical tools, the 25-year-old has yet to have a breakthrough season, but that may have had more to do with Green Bay’s depth at his position. He is the brother of Lions rookie WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who finished the 2021 season with 90 receptions for 912 yards and five scores. Chicago’s newest addition to its receivers room has 37 career catches with one touchdown in four seasons.
St. Brown has the ideal height and length to be an issue for most cornerbacks in the league. Throw in his downfield speed and it’s hard not to be intrigued by what he can offer Getsy and the Bears. After grabbing 21 passes in his rookie season, ankle injuries pushed him down Green Bay’s depth chart behind Adams, Valdes-Scantling, and Allen Lazard, who is currently a restricted free agent. At the very least, St. Brown will give Chicago an athletic and versatile receiver who will come to camp with extensive knowledge of the offense.
While some fans have been questioning the signing on social media, others understood that St. Brown is a depth option and potential lottery ticket for a Bears team that has just Darnell Mooney (142 career catches) — and possibly Dazz Newsome (two career receptions) — as reliable options at receiver right now. Most analysts predict that GM Ryan Poles will draft a wide receiver with one of his two second-round picks, and may use two of his first three selections to grab starters. Poles picked up an extra Day Two selection when he traded Khalil Mack to the Chargers.
Though Poles has vowed to build an offense around second-year quarterback Justin Fields, it appears he intends to do most of the heavy lifting via the draft and in the secondary free-agent market. So far, Chicago has signed OL Lucas Patrick, who also played for the Packers, and resigned long snapper Patrick Scales. It appears Poles has also agreed to terms with WR Byron Pringle, who can also be considered a depth option.
Bears are giving former Chiefs’ WR Byron Pringle a one-year, $6 million deal, including $4 million guaranteed, per @KatzBrosSports.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2022
As for St. Brown, he’ll look to realize the potential he had after turning pro. He’s a smooth runner with legitimate downfield speed and gives Fields the big target he needs. The new Bear will frequently find openings in short and intermediate routes because corners will have to respect the speed. That plays well into Getsy’s scheme. St. Brown also possesses an explosive upfield turn as soon as he gets the ball, so he could pile on yards after the catch if used right.
Certainly, this is not a marquee move by Poles, but he’s said several times he likes to fish where players are the hungriest. Without Adams, Valdes-scantling, and Lazar blocking him, perhaps St. Brown will find his niche as a specialty receiver with the Bears.
