Patriots Trade WR Harry to Bears

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1 year ago at 5:21 pm ET

David Butler II-USA TODAY Images

It appears New England Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry finally got his wish, with the team reportedly parting ways with the former first-round pick on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Patriots have reached an agreement on a trade that will send Harry to the Chicago Bears. The Patriots will reportedly receive a 7th-round draft pick in exchange for Harry, with the deal ending his tenure with the team.

Harry was the team’s first wide receiver taken during head coach Bill Belichick’s tenure that was selected in Round 1, and he never quite panned out. He had disappointing production in every season with the club, with 2021 at least being one that saw him be productive as a blocker as New England accumulated over 2000-yards rushing the football.

The veteran wideout demanded a trade last offseason, but remained with the team and despite what should have been a big year, looked out of sorts at times as he lined up wrong and also seemed unsure of himself as he was also typically late off the snap.

His departure removes one big question mark from a group that features Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker, and rookie second-round pick Tyquan Thornton. Also expected to compete for a roster spot are additional players like Tre Nixon, Kristian Wilkerson and recently signed Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, each of which having been spotted working with Mac Jones since OTAs ended several weeks ago.

Harry is in the final year of his rookie contract, which saw the club decline his fifth-year option earlier this offseason. Now he’ll get the fresh start he’s looking for while doing it with second-year quarterback Justin Fields as the Bears look to try and turn things around following a 6-11 finish in 2021.