"Maybe the Bears are on track to sign a big target after all.

As the NFL free-agent frenzy continued Thursday, the Bears made it known they plan to pursue former Cowboys receiver Roy Williams, according to a league source familiar with the Bears' thinking.

When reached by the Tribune on Thursday, the 6-foot-3-inch, 215-pound Williams politely declined comment.

The Cowboys released him Thursday. Last season he had 37 catches for 530 yards and five touchdowns in nine starts. He played in 15 games.

Williams previously flourished in Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz's system when both were with the Lions. The former seventh-overall pick in the draft also has strong ties to Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake, his former receivers coach at Texas.

The Bears have been looking for a big receiver to complement their group of smaller, speedy targets.

Williams enjoyed his best season in 2006 under Martz when he caught 82 passes for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns and made the Pro Bowl."