Getty Bill Belichick
It finally happened.
The New England Patriots traded wide receiver and former first-round pick N’Keal Harry to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 seventh-round pick on July 12. The trade — or at least a separation between Harry and the Patriots — had been rumored for weeks.
Harry had become one of the most polarizing players on the roster because of his immense physical talent yet modest production. Many fans in Patriots nation rejoiced at the news of the trade, but analysts such as CBS Sports’ Damon Amendolara — who referred to Harry’s draft selection in 2019 as a “stink bomb” — were more philosophical with their reaction.
Amendolara became the latest to hold Patriots head coach and de facto general manager Bill Belichick accountable for his sketchy draft history — especially regarding selecting wide receivers.
Bill Belichick’s stink bomb of N’Keal Harry is just another reminder we all have one thing we’re really terrible at and are too stubborn to stop trying.
Twitter Reacts to the N’Keal Harry Trade
Is Belichick’s selection of Harry with the 32nd pick in the 2019 draft the worst pick of the future Hall of Famer’s career? NBC Sports’ Phil A. Perry said he believed that’s the way the pick will be seen.
“It will probably go down as Bill Belichick’s worst draft pick.”
@PhilAPerry reacts to news that N’Keal Harry has been traded to the Chicago Bears, and discusses the setback his pick had on the #Patriots
Others simply riffed on the long-awaited deal.
“Merloni, Fauria and Mego” on WEEI called the modest return the Patriots received for Harry “nothing.”
Patriots admit draft mistake, trade N’Keal Harry to Bears for nothing
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport intimated in a July 12 tweet that he doubted the Bears would be able to unlock Harry.
I know Bears fans are trying REALLY hard to find reasons for optimism in 2022.
N’Keal Harry ain’t one of ’em.
And WEEI’s Mark Dondero tweeted that he didn’t know why it took Belichick so long to trade Harry.
I am still at a loss as to why it took Belichick this long to move on from N’Keal Harry.
Can Harry Find New Life in Chicago?
The Bears look like an ideal landing spot for Harry at this point in his career. Chicago’s depth chart is pretty thin at wide receiver, with Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle and rookie Velus Jones Jr. being the top-line names on the Bears’ depth chart. According to ESPN, Harry immediately slots in as Chicago’s No. 4 receiver. The team was looking for a young, big-body wide receiver capable of giving second-year quarterback Justin Fields a downfield target.
At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, Harry fits the bill physically. For whatever reason, Harry just couldn’t find himself with the Patriots. A change of scenery seems like the best potential solution for whatever has ailed Harry throughout his career.
At 24 years old, he still has time to become a contributor at the NFL level. Coming out of Arizona State, Harry looked like a complete stud. As a sophomore, Harry had 82 receptions for 1,142 yards and 8 TDs. Harry ripped off 73 receptions in his junior season for 1,088 yards and 9 TDs. He was easily the most dominant offensive player in the Pac-12 in 2018. There was no wonder the Patriots liked him coming out of college.
Unfortunately, in his three years combined in the NFL, Harry hasn’t equaled the production he had in any single season he had in college for the Sun Devils. In Harry’s NFL career, he has 57 receptions, 598 yards and 4 TDs.
Harry’s worst season in college was his freshman campaign when he had 58 catches for 659 yards and 5 TDs. That’s one of the most flabbergasting statistical epiphanies you’ll likely have for a while. Perhaps he’ll find a way to break through in the Windy City.
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