Jimmy Graham hasn’t had the season he was hoping for when he decided to return in 2021. He collected nine touchdowns last season and was the most reliable red zone target they had. Through nine games this season? He has two catches. Just two. Frustrating to say the least. To his credit, aside from one or two hiccups of frustration, he has managed to keep things professional. All the while he has seemed to gain a measure of trust from quarterback Justin Fields.
That was on display on Monday night in Pittsburgh when the two hooked up for what might’ve been one of the five best throws by any quarterback this year. The play where Fields, facing a Steelers blitz, unloaded the ball as he was getting hit for 28 yards to Graham who was covered by two defenders. It was a dime in every sense of the word. The first indication that Fields was capable of making those high-tier NFL throws.
It was an exciting moment for the team.
It was also an eye-opening one for Graham. Among NFL tight ends, the veteran has been spoiled for most of his career when it comes to quarterbacks. He started it with Drew Brees in New Orleans, got traded to Seattle where he joined Russell Wilson, and then landed with Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers after that. All three going to be Hall of Famers when it’s all said and done. Needless to say, Graham’s bar is higher than most.
So what are his impressions of Fields after seeing him in action? Plenty encouraged. When asked about the quarterback, the tight end didn’t hold back the praise. He admitted he’s played with several elite talents at that position in his career. Based on what he has seen from the rookie to this point, all of the warning signs are there that he too is capable of reaching that echelon.
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Jimmy Graham getting sent off by a HOF QB would be fitting
That of course is looking way too far ahead. Still, it would be rather poetic. Starting his career with one and ending with another. The NFL works in mysterious ways sometimes. Either way, it is evident Graham is playing his last season with the Bears. His contributions to the team haven’t been worth the money he is getting paid. Combined with the steady ascent of Cole Kmet and it feels like the team is approaching a youth movement.
Jimmy Graham won’t be the only one. Other notable veterans on the defensive side could be seeing their final games in Chicago. Akiem Hicks and Danny Trevathan are two others. That would be quite a bitter pill to swallow if Fields does indeed end up what many hope he’ll be. Those two gave the best years of their career to the Bears and had to endure quarterback flops like Jay Cutler, Matt Barkley, Mike Glennon, Mitch Trubisky, and Nick Foles.
Life isn’t fair sometimes.
Hopefully, Graham can finish 2021 on a high note. The Bears will need him. With Khalil Mack done for the year and other defenders ailing, the offense has to score more points if they want to win. It looked like they tried to get him more involved against Pittsburgh. Maybe a sign of what is to come.