Tag: Bears tight end

WATCH: Cole Kmet’s emotional reaction to learning he’ll play for hometown Bears

Cole Kmet grew up a diehard Bears fan. Now, he’ll get to suit up as their new tight end.

There’s nothing like watching a football player’s reaction to learning that he’s achieved his life-long goal of making it to the NFL.

It’s something that has made the NFL Draft personal. While we didn’t get the traditional NFL Draft this year, with the entire affair being virtual, we still got to see the reactions of players learning they were drafted by an NFL club.

One of those players was new Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet, who was surrounded by friends and family in his hometown of Arlington Heights, IL.

The Bears Twitter account shared video of head coach Matt Nagy making the call to Kmet to welcome him to the team, as well as a video of Kmet’s reaction to learning he was getting to play for the team he rooted for growing up.

And while Kmet’s emotional reaction was something special to watch, his family and friends might’ve stolen the show.

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WATCH: Highlights of new Bears TE Cole Kmet

Take a look at what the Chicago Bears are getting in their new tight end Cole Kmet.

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The Chicago Bears welcomed their newest tight end Cole Kmet with the 43rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Kmet joins a tight end group that was collectively the worst in the NFL last season, tallying a combined 36 receptions, 416 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

While there was some question about Chicago drafting a tight end as high as the second round, you can’t deny that the Bears selected the best tight end in this draft class.

Kmet presents as the most NFL-ready tight end, and he excels both as a blocker and a pass catcher, something that Matt Nagy has been looking for in a tight end in this offense.

Take a look at what the Bears are getting in Kmet:

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2020 NFL Draft: Bears select TE Cole Kmet with 43rd overall pick

Just one week after releasing Trey Burton, the Bears brought in the best tight end in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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After speculation that the Chicago Bears would trade back or trade up in the second round, they ultimately held firm at pick No. 43. And they got a hometown talent that addresses a need on offense.

The Bears selected Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet with the 43rd overall selection, who is arguably the most NFL-ready tight end in this draft.

In 2019, Kmet had 43 receptions for 515 yards and six touchdowns for the Fighting Irish.

Kmet joins a tight end position group that was arguably the worst in the NFL in 2019. They combined for 36 receptions, 416 receiving yards and just 2 touchdowns.

Tight end has been a focus for Chicago this offseason, as they’ve brought in new tight ends coach Clancy Barrone, as well as signed free agents Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris.

Kmet figures to serve as an in-line tight end in Matt Nagy’s offense, where he’s as good a blocker as he is a receiver. With the drafting of Kmet, the Bears now have 10 tight ends on their roster.

Just one week after releasing Trey Burton, the Bears brought in the best tight end in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Bears have met virtually with Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet

There isn’t a TE many believe is worthy of being drafted in the first 2 rounds. But if there were, the consensus is it would be Cole Kmet.

The Chicago Bears have been linked to tight ends in the 2020 NFL Draft since the process began. And that was long before the release of Trey Burton and the acquisition of Jimmy Graham.

Still, many have the Bears pegged for a tight end in this draft, especially after the release of Burton. And while the Bears should definitely consider bringing a tight end in, there’s no one in this tight end class worth using a second-round pick on.

But, if there were one, the consensus is that it would be Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet, who is arguably the most NFL ready prospect in a weak tight end class.

So it’s no wonder why Chicago has shown interest in Kmet, who has also expressed his desire to play for the hometown Bears. According to NBC Sports Chicago’s Adam Hoge, Kmet has met with the Bears virtually during the pre-draft process.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say about Kmet in his evaluation:

Long bodied, early entry Y tight end prospect who is a better pass threat than run blocker at this stage. Kmet should continue to fill out his frame, but his run blocking is too scattered and needs better focus and efficiency as a pro. He can be jammed and slowed by early contact into his route, but once he’s striding, he becomes a legitimate second-level threat with sneaky separation speed and intriguing ball skills. He’s still developing and could be a slow starter headed into the league, but he has the talent to eventually become a solid starter as a pass-catching in-line tight end with the ability to mismatch from the slot with his size.

Kmet is widely considered the best prospect at his position in a weak class of tight ends. In 2019, Kmet had 43 receptions for 515 yards and six touchdowns, but he projects to be better in the pros.

Kmet can be a weapon in the passing game and in-line as a blocker for a team desperate for production at the tight end position. He’d figure to replace the disappointing Adam Shaheen, who is reportedly on the trade block.

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4 don’ts for the Chicago Bears in 2020 NFL Draft

Let’s take a look at four things Bears GM Ryan Pace should not do in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Draft week is upon us, and we’re just days away from meeting the Bears’ 2020 draft class. Unlike last season, when it was best player available mentality, Chicago has several needs both on offense and defense that they need to tackle.

While no one can ever gauge what general manager Ryan Pace will do come draft time — which is exactly how he likes it — I have some suggestions for Pace and co. ahead of this 2020 NFL Draft.

Let’s take a look at four things Pace and the Bears should not do in the 2020 NFL Draft.

1. DON’T: Trade up

Tim Boyle/Chicago Sun-Times via AP

Pace has a reputation for seeing his guy and doing whatever it takes to get him. For better or for worse. Although, typically, for worse. For every Khalil Mack there’s a Mitchell Trubisky. For every Eddie Jackson, there’s a Leonard Floyd.

Pace has traded up each of the last four drafts, including twice in 2016 and 2017. In 2016, he traded up to select Floyd and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski. In 2017, Pace traded up to grab Trubisky and Jackson. Then in 2018, he traded up to draft receiver Anthony Miller, and most recently in 2019, to select running back David Montgomery. Pace isn’t shy about trading up to select guys high on his board, but there’s a belief that changes this year.

Considering the Bears are already thin with the draft capital they currently have — they have just two selections in the first four founds — Chicago can’t afford to be relinquishing picks. Now, trading down on the other hand, that would serve to benefit the Bears and perhaps lock up a third or fourth-round selection.

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Report: Bears TE Adam Shaheen is on the trade block

After releasing Trey Burton last week, it appears Bears GM Ryan Pace might be looking to move on from another underperforming tight end.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace already admitted one mistake at tight end with the release of Trey Burton last Friday. Now, it appears that Pace might be looking to move on from another underperforming tight end.

According to former NFL front office executive and current league insider Michael Lombardi, Bears tight end Adam Shaheen is among several players on the trade block heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Shaheen, a former second-round pick by Pace, has been a disappointment since entering the NFL in 2017. Once touted as “Baby Gronk,” Shaheen has struggled with injuries and, even when he was on the field, has been an overall disappointment.

There are many that believe that Shaheen faces an uphill battle to win a roster spot in camp, and his replacement might already be on the roster in free-agent acquisition Demetrius Harris, who Brad Biggs believes is the early favorite to win the in-line tight end job.

If Shaheen remains on the team heading into camp, he’ll certainly get an opportunity to compete. But he’ll need to stay healthy in order to do so.

In three seasons, Shaheen has just 26 catches for 249 yards and four touchdowns in 27 games. Not exactly the kind of production that reaffirms the Bears belief in him moving forward at a position that was of great concern last season.

Even with the release of Burton, the Bears still have nine tight ends on their roster — and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Pace targets another in the NFL Draft. Perhaps even Shaheen’s replacement. Paging Cole Kmet…

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2020 NFL Draft: Should the Bears target tight end in 2nd round?

Following the release of Trey Burton, there are some that believe the Bears will use one of their 2nd-rounders to draft a tight end.

There’s no doubt that tight end remains a huge need for the Chicago Bears. That’s certainly the case when your tight end group collectively nets 36 receptions, 416 receiving yards and just two touchdowns.

Bears general manager Ryan Pace has been focused on fixing one of the position groups that plagued Chicago’s offense. He brought in veteran Jimmy Graham during free agency and admitted a mistake with Trey Burton, parting ways with him Friday.

The Bears have been linked to tight ends throughout the pre-draft process, and it’s not exactly a surprise. But considering this year’s weak class of tight ends, there are some that believe there aren’t any tight ends worthy of a second-round selection.

Following the release of Burton, there are some that believe it’s a certainty that Chicago will use one of their second-rounders to draft a tight end. While that’s certainly a possibility, it’s not a guarantee.

The problem with the Bears taking a tight end in the second round is that they only have two selections in the first four rounds — both in the second round — and there are needs other than tight end.

Chicago has shown interest in prospects like Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet, Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins, Dayton’s Adam Trautman and Vanderbilt’s Jared Pinkney. While guys like Kmet and Hopkins will be gone before the Bears’ next pick rolls around following the second round, Pinkney is someone that should still be there for Chicago in the fifth round.

But given a report that the Bears are looking to trade one — possibly both — of their second-rounders, it would make sense for Pace to trade down and lock up an extra selection in rounds three or four, where some top tight end prospects should still be on the board.

What say you, Bears fans? Should Pace draft a tight end in the second round of the draft?

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Should Bears consider trading for Bucs TE O.J. Howard?

With the recent release of Trey Burton, Chicago should consider bringing in a young, talented TE like Tampa Bay’s O.J. Howard.

The Trey Burton experiment lasted just two seasons before the Chicago Bears decided to part ways with the maligned tight end on Friday.

While Burton’s time in Chicago got off to an encouraging start in 2018, where he had a career year — 54 catches for 569 receiving yards and six touchdowns — his inability to stay on the field proved to be his downfall. In 2019, Burton only played in eight games, tallying 14 catches for 84 yards, before landing on injured reserve.

Following the collective failure of Chicago’s tight ends last season, the position has been a contention of focus for general manager Ryan Pace. The Bears signed veteran Jimmy Graham to a two-year deal, but he’s not a magic cure-all. Not to mention, Graham isn’t the same player he was when he thrived with the Saints and Seahawks.

Perhaps the Bears should look to bring in another promising, younger tight end that could help jumpstart Chicago’s offense.

There are rumors that Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard is on the trade block, and Chicago shouldn’t hesitate to try and make a deal happen, should that be the case.

Howard is coming off a down season in 2019 — 34 catches for 459 yards, one touchdown. But Howard’s down year was still more productive, in yardage, than all of Chicago’s tight ends combined in 2019.

Howard, a former first-round pick in the NFL Draft, positioned himself to become one of the league’s standout tight ends in his second season. But his breakout year was cut short due to injury, which caused him to miss the final six games. It also didn’t help that, when Howard returned for his third year in 2019, Tampa Bay brought in Bruce Arians, someone who’s not known for utilizing tight ends as much as receivers.

It’s not a question of whether or not Howard has the talent to excel as a “move” tight end in this league. He just needs to find the right place. While Chicago was one of the worst in tight end production a season ago, they didn’t exactly have the talent of an O.J. Howard in that offense. It also didn’t help that, as a whole, the Bears offense struggled last season.

The only question is cost. Pace has a penchant for trading draft capital for his guys, but at the right price this would be a good deal for the Bears. But Chicago shouldn’t offer more than a Day 3 pick for Howard’s services.

If the Bears can’t trade for Howard, it makes sense for them to target a tight end in the NFL Draft next week. While this is a weak class of tight ends, Chicago would have their pick of some talented prospects, including Cole Kmet and Brycen Hopkins.

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Twitter reacts to Bears releasing TE Trey Burton

The Bears are releasing TE Trey Burton, and the reaction on Twitter was about as expected – not surprised.

The Chicago Bears have released tight end Trey Burton just two years after giving him a four-year, $32 million deal — with $22 million guaranteed — to become a productive weapon for Chicago.

While Burton had his moments in 2018, that never happened. Mostly due to his injury struggles in 2019, which limited him to just eight games where he caught 14 passes for 84 yards.

When the Bears added veteran Jimmy Graham in free agency, it was fair to wonder if Burton’s time was coming to an end in Chicago. Now, we know that it has.

The reaction on Twitter, especially with Bears fans, went as expected, considering Burton’s been a disappointment since general manager Ryan Pace brought him in 2018.

Burton will forever be remembered in Chicago for letting his team know the night before the Bears’ first playoff game in nearly a decade that he couldn’t play because of a groin injury.

Many were happy to see Burton go.

Others were surprised by the move, considering the Bears still owe Burton roughly $4 million.

Some are confused by what general manager Ryan Pace is doing at the tight end position.

There are some holding out hope for the Bears acquiring Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard, who’s reportedly on the trade block.

Or some believing that it’s a given that Chicago will target a tight end early in the NFL Draft.

And some fearing that, in a sick twist of fate, that Burton winds up thriving with the Packers.

Oh, and that Philly Special reunion between new Bears quarterback Nick Foles and Burton? Not meant to be.

But don’t worry, the Bears still have plenty of depth at tight end following Burton’s release.

What are your thoughts on Burton’s release?

Report: Bears are releasing TE Trey Burton

Following a disappointing two years in Chicago, the Bears are releasing TE Trey Burton.

The Chicago Bears are releasing tight end Trey Burton, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

According to The Athletic‘s Adam Jahns, the Bears plan to part ways with Burton after June 1, which means that it will save money against the salary cap. But Burton will cost the Bears $7.5 million in dead money and free up just $1.05 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.

In 2018, Chicago signed Burton to a four-year, $32 million contract, which included $22 million guaranteed. While Burton had a career-season with the Bears in 2018 — 54 catches for 569 receiving yards and six touchdowns — it was ultimately his lack of availability that was his downfall.

After alerting the team that he had a groin injury the night before Chicago’s wild card playoff game against the Eagles, Burton never recovered. In 2019, he only played in 8 games, tallying 14 catches for 84 yards, before landing on injured reserve.

The Bears had the worst group of tight ends in the NFL last season, and it’s no wonder why the position has been an area of focus for general manager Ryan Pace.

Chicago signed former Packers tight end Jimmy Graham to a two-year deal last month, and that raised a question about Burton’s future with the Bears.

The Bears now have nine tight ends under contract, and it wouldn’t be a surprise for Pace to add another in the NFL Draft next week.

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