Next up in our series previewing the Chicago Bears’ position groups is the tight ends unit. Is there enough depth to last the entire season?
We continue our series previewing the Chicago Bears position groups ahead of training camp. Our focus today is the tight ends unit. After greatly improving the group in 2020, did the team do enough to continue the improvements into 2021?
The tight ends unit was a mess in 2019. Injuries and bad play plagued the group throughout the season. The entire group only recorded 46 catches for 416 yards and 2 touchdowns. In 2020, those numbers were 85 catches for 744 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jimmy Graham by himself eclipsed the entire 2019 unit’s numbers by himself with 50 catches for 456 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Can the unit continue to take a step forward and become big red-zone targets for whoever plays under center?
The starters
Speaking of Graham, his signing last offseason was big news for the Bears. There were many who criticized the signing. Former Chicago Bears tight end and fan-favorite Greg Olsen was available. Many wanted to see a reunion. Graham, meanwhile, struggled to connect with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. At 33 years of age, people didn’t see how he’d contribute to the offense.
Graham ended up contributing greatly. Only Travis Kelce had a better season for a tight end over 30. The incredible thing is that looking at the film there were still a number of plays left on the table. Imagine his numbers being even better. By the way, Olsen recorded 24 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown and is now retired.
The question now is whether Graham has another good season in him. Yes, he is at the end of the line. This could be his final season. In fact, many thought he’d be retired already. There were people around the league who didn’t expect the Bears to re-sign Graham for salary cap reasons. The Bears were in salary cap hell and Graham was to be one of the casualties.
So far, though, that hasn’t happened. Graham made it through the initial free agency period. Then he made it through the post-June 1st cuts. Training camp is almost here and he is still on the roster. Unless they find a proper and cheaper replacement before the season starts, Graham will have at least one more season in Chicago.
In addition to Graham, the Bears drafted Cole Kmet in the second round. He started out slowly but became a bigger part of the offense as the season progressed, showing flashes of why the Bears were so high on him. He took to Graham’s lessons and finished the season strong.
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contracts
by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
This offseason, Kmet kept learning. In addition to learning from Graham, he attended Tight End University. The camp was formed by Olsen, Kelce, and George Kittle. They invited some of the best and up-and-coming tight ends so they could give their experiences and advice. It will only make Kmet a better player.
The backups
This is where things get tricky for the Bears. Last season, they had Demetrius Harris. He wasn’t a big numbers guy but he did a good job of giving the starters a break. He is gone now, however.
Behind Kmet and Graham are J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted, Jake Butt, and Scooter Harrington. At least Harris had some experience and did some things before he arrived in Chicago. The guys they have now collectively haven’t done anything. We don’t know if they can even be effective backups.
Holtz and Horsted will mainly be special teams players. If they see extended play at tight end then there is big trouble with the unit. Butt had some talent coming out of college in 2017 but he’s only played in eight games in his career, and five of them came last season. He has a history of multiple injuries. He’s healthy now, but will he stay that way? The Bears had a player like that once, didn’t they? Oh, yeah, his name was Kevin White.
The reason Harrington is in camp is because of the history of tight ends coming from Stanford. Stanford has a recent history of having tight ends play in the NFL so Harrington gets the benefit of receiving a look. Let’s see if he continues the Stanford trend.
The Chicago Bears have a good duo of tight ends in Kmet and Graham. Graham likely doesn’t repeat the numbers of last season but can still be effective. Kmet will receive a lot more looks this season than he did last year so that’s a big reason for Graham’s reduction. Kmet is the future and the future is now.
Where the problem comes for the Bears will be health. There isn’t much behind the top two. Should one of them get injured, the unit is in trouble. We’ll see how Butt does during camp and in the preseason but his health is too fragile to depend on. Expect a move to acquire a dependable tight end before the end of the preseason.
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Pro Football historian Ken Crippen joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Pro Football historian Ken Crippen joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 247: Full Foss NFL Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
Ep 246: NFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 1:40 pm
-
Ep 245: AFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Top 5 Running Backsby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 12:42 am
Ian and John discuss FPC Chiefs Managing Editor Braden Holecek's Top 5 […]
-
Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: Who Has The Better Season?by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:48 am
From Full Press NFL Weekly, Ian Glendon, Braden Holecek, and Kyle Senra […]
-
Julio Jones Signs in Tampa Bayby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Ian and John discuss Julio Jones joining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Learn […]
-
Juan Soto Wins Home Run Derby; Is It Worth Watching?by Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 1:10 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti react to Juan Soto's […]
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Ian and John discuss the Zach Wilson injury scare, Deshaun Watson's debut […]
-
NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jersey League Wideby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA's decision to retire Bill Russell's "#6" […]
-
Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kevin Durant power move and the similarities […]
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the pair of NFL preseason games from Thursday and […]
-
8/11 - Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Top 5 Running Backs, NFL Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Ian and John discuss Serena Williams impending retirement, Kevin Durant, […]
-
Serena Williams And The Best 21st Century Athletesby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Ian and John discuss Serena Williams' career and impending retirement as […]
-
Aaron Rodgers, Ayahuasca, and The Green Bay Packersby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Ian and John discuss Aaron Rodgers recent revelations and the upcoming […]
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Ian discusses his experience in Canton and the Hall of Fame ceremony with […]
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contractsby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Ian, Braden, and Kyle discuss the new quarterback contracts, Tyreek Hill […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 193 "Summer Slam Review"by Boot 2 The Face on August 8, 2022 at 10:05 am
Marty and Rucker return to talk the sights and sounds of Nashville for WWE […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "Summer Slam Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on July 28, 2022 at 12:31 am
Rucker is joined by Angel and Timmy C of Filter Free Popcast who you can […]
-
Ep 247: Full Foss NFL Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
-
Ep.19: 2022 Michigan State Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 141: Preseason Week 1by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2022 at 10:56 pm
-
Ep 126: Kamalaby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep 246: NFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 1:40 pm
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
Top 5 Running Backsby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 12:42 am
-
The Game Talks About Mets, Yankees, Braves, Phillies and Dodgers at the Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 12:30 am
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
-
NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jersey League Wideby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm
-
Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
8/11 - Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Top 5 Running Backs, NFL Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Serena Williams And The Best 21st Century Athletesby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm
-
Aaron Rodgers, Ayahuasca, and The Green Bay Packersby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
-
8/9 - Pro Football Hall of Fame; Shawshank Prison; Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm