Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: The Tight Ends

Our series previewing the Chicago Bears before the start of training camp continues with the tight ends. There were times the unit was underused last season. That should change with a new coaching staff.

The Chicago Bears are now less than a week away from training camp. They start on July 26th. In the meantime, we continue to preview the team.

Next up are the tight ends. The unit was woefully underused last season. Between Cole Kmet, Jimmy Graham, Jesse James, and Jesper Horsted the tight ends had 83 catches for 862 yards. They caught just six touchdowns.

Tight ends are important to an offense. They could be the quarterback’s best friend when he’s in trouble. They offer him a big target so the quarterback could throw a pass up and have the tight end use his big body to keep the defender away.

That is even more important when you have a young signal caller. Justin Fields is in his second season and his rookie campaign wasn’t a very good one. He needs to depend on the tight ends to block and help the offensive line as well as make big catches, especially in the red zone.

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Players on the unit

New general manager Ryan Poles overhauled the tight ends unit. Everyone but Kmet is gone. In are Ryan Griffin, James O’Shaughnessy, Rysen Johns, and Jake Tonges.

Tonges signed as an undrafted rookie free agent. If he performs well he’ll still likely just make the practice squad. He has some tools, however, so he may make the team.

Kmet, Griffin, and O’Shaughnessy look to be the main cogs in the rotation. Kmet has been a lightning rod of controversy for Chicago Bears fans. Many feel that he’s been a disappointment while others feel he’s right on target in his development.

Kmet is ready to have a breakout season. It’s important to know that tight ends develop a little slower than other players. Some of the best tight ends playing today have had seasons that haven’t been as productive as Kmet so far.

After Kmet had 28 receptions for 243 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in his rookie season in 2020. He followed that up with 60 receptions for 612 yards last season. However, he had no touchdown catches. The touchdown catches are a point of concern.

While his catches, yards, and yards per catch averages increased, he needs to find the end zone more. In this new system, with him as the main tight end target, he will get more opportunities to score this season.

The Bears will run more 12 personnel, meaning they’ll have one running back and two tight ends. In that set, Griffin could line up at the slot. He has the ability to go downfield. That way, he creates space underneath for Kmet. Additionally, he also ends up with a mismatch on a linebacker so Fields can go to him that way.

Griffin does well out of the slot. Some of his biggest seasons came when he played there while with the Houston Texans.

Additionally, Griffin is a good blocker. Pro Football Focus rated him the 20th best blocker out of 70. His blocking can go far in helping the offensive line protect Fields.

O’Shaughnessy is an even better blocker. He rated the 14th best blocker. He doesn’t provide much help downfield, but he is sure-handed in the short field. He’s had catch percentages in the 70s for the past three seasons.

Projections for the unit

As I said, Kmet is ready for a breakout season. He’s progressed well so far, the lack of touchdowns notwithstanding. The targets among the tight ends were shaky throughout former head coach Matt Nagy’s tenure.

Now, with new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, the targets should be more consistent. He’ll utilize the tight ends more, especially in the red zone. Kmet worked with Fields in the offseason so he’ll have more rapport with him.

Griffin and O’Shaughnessy won’t catch very many passes. They’ll be the typical backup tight ends — they’ll do a lot of blocking and make an occasional catch. They’ll be dependable backups. Kmet will be the shining star, though.