8. Tight ends
Last year, Bears tight ends combined for 36 receptions, 416 receiving yards and just two touchdowns, which is why Chicago overhauled their tight ends room this offseason following one of the worst collective outputs in the entire NFL last season. Chicago’s top three tight ends will be players not on this roster last season, led by veteran Jimmy Graham, who the Bears signed to a two-year, $16 deal with $9 million guaranteed. Although this certainly isn’t the Jimmy Graham from New Orleans or Seattle. Still, Pace is banking on Nagy finding a way to utilize Graham in a way he hadn’t been in Green Bay.
The Bears also targeted tight end with their top draft pick in Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet, who was the most NFL-ready tight end in the draft class. Kmet will occupy the starting “Y” tight end role, but he’ll also be utilized as a weapon in the passing game. Chicago also signed veteran Demetrius Harris, who has experience operating in an offense similar to Nagy’s during his time in Kansas City.
With Kmet and Harris occupying the “Y” tight end roles, that figures to be the end of the road for former second-round pick Adam Shaheen, who likely won’t make the roster. But there’s still the fourth and final spot up for grabs, and there are no shortage of tight ends on this roster vying for that spot.
Braunecker is entering the final season of his two-year extension with the Bears, and he had some impressive moments before he landed on injured reserve last season. But with young guys like J.P. Holtz and Jesper Horsted also in the mix, training camp will be huge for determining that final spot.
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