The Chicago Bears' 2022 offseason was dominated by the suggestion that general manager Ryan Poles didn't do enough to help quarterback Justin Fields and the offense. No high-priced offensive linemen or wide receivers were signed in free agency. The 2022 NFL Draft resulted in mid-rounders at both positions. But Poles' steady and calculated moves to improve the skill level on offense has been commendable, including Thursday's decision to add former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette off waivers.
First, let's be clear: Smith-Marsette isn't a superstar and he probably won't emerge as a viable target for Fields anytime soon. But he is another young and talented playmaker who has a chance to earn meaningful reps on a team with an otherwise unsettled wide receiver depth chart.
Adding Smith-Marsette to the roster is the equivalent of the Bears drafting another wide receiver in the 2022 draft. He just turned 23 years old in August and brings some regular season NFL experience to Chicago. He logged 86 snaps as a rookie and finished the 2021 season with a three-catch, 106-yard performance against the Bears in Week 18.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette brings speed and special teams ability to Chicago Bears roster
Smith-Marsette was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft after a successful college career at Iowa. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in back-to-back seasons and finished his time as a Hawkeye with 110 catches for 1,615 yards and 14 touchdowns. While not the biggest-bodied wideout, Smith-Marsette offers above-average speed (4.43 40-yard dash) and special teams ability as a returner. Bottom line? He has more than enough traits to hang around the active roster for a while. If Smith-Marsette was a day-three pick by the Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft, fans would be excited about his upside.
The addition of Ihmir Smith-Marsette gives the Chicago Bears six wide receivers on the active roster: Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, Velus Jones Jr., Dante Pettis and Smith-Marsette. It's unlikely Poles will add any more wideouts to the squad between now and Week 1, and with N'Keal Harry eligible to return from injured reserve after Week 4, the Bears will have seven viable options for what's likely to be six spots.
Smith-Marsette has proven he can make plays on the NFL level. He was a productive and explosive playmaker in the Big Ten. Now, it's up to him to prove he deserves a long-term active roster spot with the Chicago Bears. He'll certainly get his chance.
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