Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles addressed the team’s trade for former New England Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry for the first time with reporters Tuesday. And it’s clear he’s excited about the Bears’ newest pass-catcher.
“I am excited about him,” Poles said from Halas Hall. “I think he has a really good skill set, great physical traits and I think he has something to prove, for sure. And I think he has the chance to improve this football team.”
Harry, 24, was selected with the 32nd overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft after a standout career at Arizona State. The 6’4, 225-pounder has been a bust through three seasons in the league, but Poles is confident in the skill set he offers the Chicago Bears’ passing game.
“I wasn’t in that building or anything. I just know what he’s capable of,” Poles said of Harry’s time with the Patriots. “And I want to give him the opportunity to come here and show what he can do and get things on the right path.”
N’Keal Harry’s best season came in 2020 when he totaled 33 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns. He’s managed just 57 catches in his career and fell out of favor with Patriots coach Bill Belichick early in his NFL tenure.
Harry’s path to meaningful reps with the Chicago Bears is wide open. Only Darnell Mooney is locked in as a starter at wide receiver. Harry will compete with free-agent signing Byron Pringle, rookie Velus Jones Jr., and veteran Equanimeous St. Brown for targets. While not the most explosive route-runner, N’Keal Harry’s ability to win in contested situations will make him an appealing option in red-zone and short-yardage situations.
