There’s something to be said for how someone responds when they are doubted or even not wanted in the first place.
For new Bears tight end Jimmy Graham, he’s well aware he was cast aside following his last season in Green Bay, and he’s ready to show the NFL he still has the talent that made him a matchup nightmare in the 2010s.
Graham, who signed with the Bears on a two-year, $16 million deal with $9 million guaranteed when free agency began, spoke with reporters during a conference call on Thursday and shared he’s motivated to show everyone he can still be a difference maker in the NFL.
The veteran says getting released by the Bears’ rival “lit a fire” in him. He added that, even at age 33, he knows what he’s capable of.
“I’m still fast and I still have the ability to make big plays,” said the former All-Pro tight end.
Jimmy Graham says getting cut by the Packers "lit a fire." Adds, at 33: "I know what player I am and I know what I can do."
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) March 26, 2020
Bears TE Jimmy Graham: "I'm still fast and I still have the ability to make big plays."
— Jeff Dickerson (@DickersonESPN) March 26, 2020
It isn’t just age for Graham, however. He’s played through nagging injuries over the last four seasons after suffering a gruesome knee injury in 2015 when he was a member of the Seahawks. But the 10-year veteran vows he has no limitations.
“My knee is the best it’s felt in four or five years,” he said. “This is the best I’ve ran, the fastest I’ve been in four or five years.”
Jimmy Graham: "My knee is the best it’s felt in 4 or 5 years. This is the best that I’ve ran, the fastest I’ve been in 4 or 5 years."
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) March 26, 2020
Graham came into the league in 2010 with the Saints and became arguably the best tight end in the league for a period of time.
In 2015, he was sent to Seattle for center Max Unger and a first-round draft pick where, following his injury-shortened season, put up elite statistics in 2016 and 2017 that resulted in back-to-back trips to the Pro Bowl.
Graham became a free agent in 2018, signing with the Packers before getting released earlier this offseason. In 10 seasons, Graham has totaled 7,883 yards and 74 touchdowns. He has four seasons of 10 or more touchdowns, second in NFL history for a tight end behind former Patriot Rob Gronkowski, who had five.
Time will tell whether or not general manager Ryan Pace made a shrewd move in landing Graham, or if he overpaid for someone whose best days are behind him. But the Bears are going to get everything out of their newest tight end, and he’s hungry to show everyone what he has left in the tank.
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