Report: Patriots trade first-round bust N'Keal Harry to Bears, get 7th-round pick in return
The New England Patriots are cutting ties with N'Keal Harry.
Per NFL Network, the Patriots are trading the former first-round pick to the Chicago Bears. They'll get a seventh-round pick from Chicago in return.
The Patriots selected Harry with the 32nd pick of the 2019 draft, hoping the Arizona State wide receiver could boost a longstanding position of weakness. After three seasons in New England, it became clear that he wasn't the right fit.
During his time in New England, Harry tallied 57 catches for 598 yards and four touchdowns. His best effort arrived in 2020, when he recorded 33 catches for 309 yards and two scores. He didn't find the end zone in 2021 as rookie quarterback Mac Jones took control of the offense.
WR stars Patriots passed on
Meanwhile, the Patriots passed on a handful of receivers who have developed into some of the best at the position in the NFL. Pro Bowlers Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf, Diontae Johnson, Hunter Renfrow and two-time 1,000-yard-plus producer Terry McLaurin were all selected after New England took Harry at No. 32.
Now Harry gets a second chance to live up to his first-round billing in Chicago alongside another young quarterback in Justin Fields. The Patriots, meanwhile, move on from their latest failed effort to land a difference-maker at wide receiver. They'll enter the 2022 season with former Miami Dolphin Devante Parker, Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne atop the depth chart.
Harry joins a wide open wide receiver competition in Chicago after the offseason departure of Allen Robinson to the Los Angeles Rams. Darnell Mooney looks to slot into the No. 1 spot after leading Chicago with 81 catches for 1,055 yards last season. Meanwhile, fellow newcomers Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown and third-round rookie Velus Jones Jr. will join Harry in competing for catches on a roster that failed to produce a player with more than four touchdown catches last season.
The opportunity is there for Harry to make his mark alongside a second-year quarterback looking to do the same. The fresh start, meanwhile, looks best for both sides.
