Here’s the thing. Ryan Pace doesn’t make trades on a spur of the moment. The Chicago Bears GM always gathers every single detail available before making a decision to acquire a player. Especially a veteran one. So while the acquisition of Jakeem Grant from the Miami Dolphins might have been a surprise to fans and media, it wouldn’t be a shock if this was a move the team had been considering for some time.
Sure enough, proof arrived from the man himself. Grant spoke to the Chicago media upon arrival. He spoke about his excitement for the new opportunity as well as some nerves about playing in the long shadow of Devin Hester. Then he offered an interesting nugget. Apparently, several members of the Bears organization including special teams coordinator Chris Tabor met with him during joint practices with the Dolphins back in August. They had nothing but good things to say. An event that set off alarm bells in Grant’s head.
“I talked to the special teams coach, and I talked to a lot of guys around here, and they said they loved me. So it kind of – red flag went up. I was like, OK, it could be a potential coming back here.”
His instincts were correct.
As it became apparent Miami was using him less, they made him available for trade. The Bears had a desperate need for help in their return game with Nsimba Webster struggling and Khalil Herbert set to focus more on the running game with David Montgomery injured. Grant felt like the perfect solution to their problem. So they made the deal, sending a 6th round pick in 2023 to the Dolphins.
Part of the issue that led to this was his mistakes. Grant lost a pair of fumbles the past three weeks against Buffalo and Indianapolis. That combined with the presence of rookie Jaylen Waddle made him expendable.
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Jakeem Grant will have a chance at a fresh start
Sometimes a player realizes early that his time with a team has run its course. Grant probably felt that with Miami. A shame considering how good he was for them, compiling 3,184 return yards and five touchdowns. That said, Chicago is an organization that tends to embrace returners more than others. He should feel right at home. It wouldn’t be surprising if they hand him both punt and kick return duties full time.
Knowing Matt Nagy? They’ll probably try to sprinkle him in on offense from time to time. There is no question Jakeem Grant is dangerous with the ball in his hands. So any chance they get to put him in space, they’ll likely try. Nagy is notorious for trying such things.
Either way, the Bears got better on paper with this trade.
If Grant even modestly improves their average per return yardage? Then it should be considered a win. Anything they can do to make life a little easier for Justin Fields and the offense as they continue trying to build some momentum. It is a good reminder that the Bears realize this is going to be a year they need all three phases to contribute if they want to win.