The Bears cut Hardy on Monday, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hardy spent the first five seasons of his NFL career playing for the Falcons, from 2015 to 2019, but he didn't play at all in 2020. Given that he's proven capable of handling a reserve role, Hardy shouldn't have too much trouble earning another chance elsewhere in the league.

Hardy will sign a contract with the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hardy didn't play in the NFL last season after spending each of his first five years in the league with the Falcons. He most recently compiled 19 receptions for 195 yards back in 2019 and will attempt to find a role in a Bears receiving corps that was thinned out slightly by the team's recent trade of Anthony Miller.

Hardy won't re-sign with the Falcons, instead becoming an unrestricted free agent Wednesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 2015 fourth-round pick played 73 games for Atlanta the past five seasons, landing between 22 and 36 targets each year. Hardy's ability to contribute on special teams should make it easy enough for him to find a new job at the bottom of a depth chart, but he isn't likely to land a significant role on offense.

Hardy caught all three of his targets for 40 receiving yards during Sunday's 28-22 overtime win against the Buccaneers.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran wideout was once again a role player for Atlanta's attack during 2019, recording 19 receptions for 195 yards across 16 regular-season appearances. Throughout the campaign Hardy's workload exceeded 20 offensive snaps on just three occasions, and outside of a relatively busy Week 1 showing against Minnesota, he never commanded more than four targets in any game. The 28-year-old's contract will expire over the offseason, and it remains to be seen if he will be a part of the team's plans for 2020.

Hardy was unable to haul in his only target of Sunday's 24-12 win over Jacksonville.

EDGE Analysis

Hardy finished fourth among the Falcons' receivers with 21 snaps Sunday, 28% of the team total. The veteran has been passed over in favor of Atlanta's younger targets, such as sophomore receiver Russell Gage, since Calvin Ridley (abdomen) headed to injured reserve. Expect the youth movement to continue Sunday against Tampa Bay's 29th-ranked pass defense.

Hardy hauled in his only target for a 19-yard gain during Sunday's 40-20 win against the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old wideout fielded 17 percent of the offensive snaps Week 14 against Carolina but is expected to see an uptick in involvement against the 49ers in Week 15 with Calvin Ridley (abdomen) ruled out for the remainder of 2019. Hardy came on late in the season last year for a two-game stretch, racking up six receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns between Weeks 13 and 14. Thus far in 2019, however, he's only exceeded four targets in a game once, as the Falcons prepare for an upcoming matchup against San Francisco's top-ranked pass defense.

Hardy is expected to be in line for a reduced role offensively with Julio Jones (shoulder) cleared to play Sunday against the Panthers following a one-game absence, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hardy served as the Falcons' No. 4 receiver in the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Saints, playing a season-high 26 offensive snaps (28 percent) and finishing with three catches for 28 yards on three targets. Assuming Atlanta is at full strength at receiver in Week 14, Hardy will slide down to fifth on the depth chart, rendering him an afterthought on offense.

Hardy caught all three of his targets for 28 receiving yards during Thursday's 26-18 loss to the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

The fifth-year veteran has seemingly been passed up for another promotion in the receiving corps, as second-year wideouts Russell Gage and Christian Blake combined for a colossal 18 targets during Julio Jones' Week 13 absence (shoulder). Hardy will continue his special-teams involvement and remain Atlanta's No. 4 or 5 option at wide receiver during an upcoming Dec. 8 matchup against the Panthers' bottom-10 scoring defense.

Hardy caught two of four passes for 14 yards during Sunday's 29-3 win over Carolina.

EDGE Analysis

By down-roster receiver standards, it's been an OK past month for Hardy, who has caught two passes in three of his last four games -- he just hasn't found ways to get downfield. Even as a receiver known for doing most of his work underneath, his 9.0 yards per catch is on pace for a career low. The veteran target is a very low-end option even heading into Sunday's matchup against Tampa Bay's 31st-ranked pass defense.

Hardy accounted for 23 receiving yards on two catches during Sunday's 27-20 loss to Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

The trade of Mohamed Sanu trade to New England was bound to increase offensive involvement for a third Falcons receiver, but in Week 8 that player turned out to be Russell Gage rather than Hardy. The second-year man more than doubled Hardy's target share (nine to four), and accounted for seven catches and 58 yards in a matchup against Seattle's susceptible 27th-ranked pass defense. Hardy and the Falcons' receiving corps now segue into a Week 9 bye, before facing a Saints defense Nov. 10 that ranks among that NFL's 10-stingiest units with just 1.2 passing touchdowns allowed per game this season.