Any new GM will always think about adding players they know well to their new roster. Ryan Pace did it in 2015. Nobody should expect Ryan Poles to intentionally ignore these options for the Chicago Bears. Not when the roster can use as much help as possible. One position he’s been surprisingly active at over the past week is tight end. The team signed longtime veteran Ryan Griffin. Someone with experience in the new offensive system Luke Getsy plans to install.
Poles doesn’t appear done. On Monday, April 11th, the NFL transaction wire revealed the team had conducted a visit with another veteran in James O’Shaughnessy. A local boy out of Naperville, he made his name at Illinois State. Enough success was had to see him drafted in the 5th round by the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2015. Unfortunately, Travis Kelce was already establishing himself as one of the best tight ends of this generation. So after two seasons, O’Shaughnessy headed off to Jacksonville.
#Bears had TE James O'Shaughnessy in for a visit. The Naperville North & Illinois State product spent the past 5 seasons with the #Jaguars. Of course, he started his career in Kansas City, so the new regime knows him well. Would be an intriguing depth addition.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 11, 2022
James O’Shaughnessy’s focus 🤯 (via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/6sEqsWR3HH
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 6, 2019
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Brad Nortman to James O’Shaughnessy for a 29-yard pass on the fake punt! Jaguars with a first down in the red zone! pic.twitter.com/1XfVPq9bWx
— Big Cat Country (@BigCatCountry) December 3, 2017
Good connection between Mike Glennon and James O’Shaughnessy on this opening #Jaguars series pic.twitter.com/Ry1zCV73U5
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) December 7, 2020
He spent the next five seasons with the team.
During that time, he served as a quality backup tight end but could never earn more snaps. Part of the reason was healthy. Every time it looked like he was gaining a little momentum, he’d suffer an injury. Last year was a perfect example. O’Shaughnessy played well in the first two games but suffered an ankle injury, causing him to miss the next eight. He finished with 244 yards in seven games. Had he played the whole season, it would’ve been the best of his career.
Ryan Poles knows exactly who this guy is and what he can bring to the table. He’d be a quality depth option behind Cole Kmet. Somebody that can compete with Griffin and Jesper Horsted. O’Shaughnessy also has a track record of success on special teams. Between 2016 and 2017, he had 11 tackles. For whatever reason, the Jaguars stopped giving him extensive snaps. The Bears could look to correct that mistake.
