Chicago Bears training camp is less than three weeks away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.
Next up are the tight ends, which the entire NFL world knows Chicago boasts a ton of. While the Bears have a crowded tight end room, there are ultimately just four roster spots up for grabs, and three of those spots are all but locked up with Jimmy Graham, Cole Kmet and Demetrius Harris.
Let’s take a look at the tight ends heading into training camp.
Jimmy Graham
The Bears signed veteran Jimmy Graham to a two-year deal earlier this offseason, which signaled the end of Trey Burton’s career in Chicago. Graham’s signing was heavily criticized given the $9 million in guaranteed money, but Ryan Pace believes he can give their tight ends room a boost in the passing game as the starting “U” tight end.
While Graham was a force in the league during his time with the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, he didn’t have the same effect with the Green Bay Packers. Which could have something to do with how he was utilized — or lack there of — in Green Bay. Last season, Graham had 38 receptions for 447 yards and three touchdowns, which was more than all of Chicago’s tight ends combined in 2019.