The Chicago Bears have taken almost every avenue possible to upgrade their tight end position this offseason. They spent a considerable amount of money to bring in 34-year old veteran Jimmy Graham in free agency. Then they spent a 2nd round pick on Cole Kmet out of Notre Dame. If that weren’t enough, they scooped up a big wide receiver out of Kentucky in Ahmad Wagner and plan to shift him to tight end. Truly they’re pulling out all the stops. So why not go the distance and make a trade for David Njoku?
Remember him? The former 1st round pick of the Cleveland Browns got off to a promising start in his career with 639 yards and four TDs in his second season in 2018. Then last year, things collapsed. He got into a feud with the Browns coaches over his use in the offense and also dealt with health setbacks. Rather than start fresh with new coaches this year, the team instead decided to pay huge money to free agent Austin Hooper.
That is why the 23-year old Njoku and his agent have requested a trade according to Adam Schefter.
If price is right, David Njoku is worth the risk
Any team that trades for Njoku would have control of him through 2021. So the Bears wouldn’t have to fear losing him right away to free agency. His youth and athleticism are well-documented. He’d make a terrific U-tight end as a primary pass target who can line up in a variety of formations. Imagine him and Kmet at the Y position. Suddenly the offense would have two young, athletic guys capable of catching the ball.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
It comes down to what the Browns ask for presuming they decide to move him. They’ve insisted they wish to keep the disgruntled tight end but new coach Kevin Stefanski may wish to avoid a headache like this in his first year. If it ends up being a mid-round pick, the Bears could be in business.
Njoku might not get immediate attention in the offense with Graham present, but he’d have an excellent mentor to learn from. Matt Nagy is also the sort of coach he’d undoubtedly like. They can ease him into the system and then next year elevate him to the starting job. Graham can be cut with just $3 million in dead money and $7 million in additional cap space.
This isn’t even counting the possibilities of injury or COVID-19 issues, which would get him onto the field even sooner. It’s a risk, but the talent is worth it.