It’s no secret the Chicago Bears will be looking for new options at tight end this offseason. Be it in free agency or the draft. Adam Shaheen has been a massive disappointment. Trey Burton can’t stay healthy. Nobody else on the roster stands out as potential game-changing threats defenses will have to account for. The problem is they don’t really have a lot of money to spend this offseason. Not unless they create more with some payroll moves. However, there could be one or two interesting options they could land at a bargain rate.
One name that isn’t talked about much is Jimmy Graham. Most might shrug their shoulders at this idea but just listen. The guy is not the player he was five years ago. That’s obvious. However, he showed at times in 2019 that he can still be a viable threat in the passing game. The Green Bay Packers were never that good at featuring the tight ends in their offense. Despite this, the 33-year old still had a big impact on their late-season push into the playoffs with 157 yards on 11 catches in the final three games.
Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Post-Gazette believes though that his expensive contract and the presence of promising youngster Jace Sternberger makes his exit almost inevitable.
“As for players, it’s a given Graham is gone, right? I have to think Martinez is gone, too. Bulaga is the tough call because he had such a good season, but there’s his age and injury. I’m leaning toward thinking he’ll be too expensive, but I need to talk to some people around the league and think it through some more.”
Chicago Bears could be a good spot for Graham
Graham may not be what he once was, but he’s still better than anything the Bears currently have. He’ll be significantly cheaper to get than the top options in free agency this March due to his age. Also, don’t forget he has a connection to Ryan Pace. The Bears GM was the Director of Pro Scouting for the New Orleans Saints when they drafted him in the 3rd round in 2010. That familiarity and understanding of what the tight end could bring make it an easier sell.
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The cost would probably be somewhere in the $4-5 million range. Similar to what Jason Witten got from the Dallas Cowboys when he came out of retirement this past year. Pace talks about availability being a big key for him when looking at that position. Graham hasn’t missed a single game since 2015. He won’t be the superstar guy like a Travis Kelce the Bears might want, but he’d be some much-needed help.
