Vincent Jackson to Play for the Chicago Bears

No one is more excited about the Chicago Bears off season changes than Quarterback Jay Cutler. When asked about the addition of hiring of Jim Bates, Cutler’s Quarterback Coach in Denver, he responded back “I’m very, very excited.” The changes in scheme are nice, but Jay Cutler also wants to see a change in personnel. During an interview with the Silvy & Waddle Show on AM Radio in Nashville, Tennessee, Cutler was asked about Free Agent to be Vincent Jackson. He quipped “Anyone over 6’2 at this point is going to look good.” There is a lot of Wide Receivers for the Bears to consider this off season in Free Agent, and they could look to add one or more Wide Receivers in the NFL Draft. Vincent Jackson certainly fits the bill. Jackson is one of this season’s premiere Free Agents. At 6’5, 230 pounds, the 29 year old veteran is the ideal addition to a team desperate for more traditional weapons. Jackson posted 60 catches last season for 1,106 yards and 9 touchdowns. It was an impressive bounce back season after the 2010 season left a lot to be desired after an ugly contract dispute. The contract dispute is a lot of the reason the Chargers are letting him go. They couldn’t risk a season with a number one weapon after the lockout, and Jackson didn’t want to end up in Free Agency purgatory. They agreed to put up with each other because neither had a better option. With a full off season, both parties are eager to part ways. According to sources, the Chicago Bears prefer Vincent Jackson over their other options. That does not mean that the Bears won’t be targeting Wide Receivers early in the NFL Draft. In a perfect world, the Bears would like to add multiple Receivers this off season. The Bears have over $20 Million set aside for Free Agency. That may not be enough for Jackson. By my count, sixteen teams in the league are going to be actively pursuing a starting Wide Receiver this off season. There is no word on where Vincent Jackson would prefer to end up; but Chicago has to be one of the most intriguing options. Chicago doesn’t match-up with San Diego in terms of weather, but I find it hard to believe that the Northern Colorado graduate would find that too troubling. Chicago is the only major-market team that figures to be in on Jackson. Additionally, they have an established franchise quarterback, a team that is only a season removed from the NFC Championship game. It has to be a plus that he would be head and shoulders the best pass-catching option for one of the league’s best throwers.