Philadelphia Eagles sign former Bears wide receiver to futures contract

The Philadelphia Eagles signed free agent wide receiver Marquess Wilson to a reserve/futures contract, according to a report from NFL insider Field Yates.

Note that Wilson isn’t joining the Eagles’ current 53-man roster. They would’ve had to clear a roster spot for him if that was the case. Instead, this deal means Wilson will be on Philadelphia’s 90-man offseason roster once the Eagles’ season is over.

Wilson is 25 years old. Chicago originally selected him with a seventh-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

The Bears started Wilson in 14 out of the 34 games he played over four years. During that span, Wilson logged 56 receptions for 777 yards (13.9 average) and three touchdowns.

I mentioned Wilson as a potential free agent flyer for the Eagles earlier this year. He shares connections with Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas and Eagles wide receiver coach Mike Groh.

Douglas was with the Bears when Wilson had his best season in 2015. The 6-3, 194 pound receiver caught 28 passes that year for 464 yards and one score. He averaged 16.6 yards per reception in his third season before then averaging 17.8 yards per reception in 2016, although on only nine catches. Could be an inexpensive low-tier option for the Eagles.

Wilson was a seventh round pick in Groh’s first year as Chicago’s receiver coach in 2013. Wilson had a career year under Groh in 2015.

Wilson is a long shot to make the team in 2018 but he’s worth taking a shot on.