The Chicago Bears made a number of curious decisions to begin the 2019 offseason. One that drew more than few puzzled looks was asking offensive tackle Bradley Sowell to lose weight and try playing tight end. This was likely motivated by two factors. Sowell’s solid athleticism and pass catching he showed with his TD catch against the Rams last year. The other being their lack of a suitable tight end who can be a primary blocker.
Sowell accepted the challenge and worked hard in the offseason to drop weight. Sadly the results weren’t what anybody wanted. Not only is he inconsequential as a pass catcher. He’s also lost what ability he had as a blocker two. His name was not mentioned once through the first two games. Now with roster developments elsewhere, it appears the team decided to finally cut the funding to their little experiment.
Sowell was waived on Monday to make room for defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson who was promoted from the practice squad. Anderson will plug the gap left by Bilal Nichols who is recovering from a broken hand suffered earlier this year.
Chicago Bears still have issues to sort out at tight end
Sowell’s exit doesn’t solve anything for the Bears. It’s basically just cutting dead weight. They still don’t have any answers at tight end in regards to adequate blocking. Adam Shaheen isn’t known for this. Trey Burton and Ben Braunecker don’t have the builds necessary for it. Odds are the Bears will either find ways around the problem until it can be fixed next offseason or they may look to sign a veteran off the street.
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Some names who might fit what they’re looking for? Jermaine Gresham, Dwayne Allen, and Luke Willson all bring some level of competent blocking to the equation along with some halfway decent receiving prowess. It’s not going to move the needle too much in the short-term, but it would at least give the Bears some welcome depth given the health histories of Burton and Shaheen.
