4 Tight End Options the Bears Can Explore for 2020
As all Bears fans know, the offense is what held this team back in 2019. While quarterback should still be atop Ryan Pace’s offseason needs, the production from the tight end spot, or lack thereof, is a big issue.
Matt Nagy came from a Kansas City offense that heavily utilizes the tight end. So not having a tight end eclipsing over 100 receiving yards in a season is a bit problematic.
The Bears currently have Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen under contract for the 2020 season. J.P. Holtz and Jesper Horsted also showed flashes that they could provide good depth but they will never be able to get this offense where it needs to be. The Bears must bring in at least two new tight ends that can provide products to the tight end room.
The Bears can add more talent to the tight end room by either signing free agents, though the draft, or possibly even trading for one.
With the Bears having very limited draft capital already, the team may not be looking to part ways with any of their picks.
However, there are players on other teams that could be good fits and would come relatively cheap.
Trade Options
Mike Gesicki
One tight end they could target via trade is Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki. Gesicki, a 2018 second-round pick out of Penn State, is very young (24) and uber-athletic. This past season, Gesicki totaled 570 yards and five touchdowns on 51 receptions.
Geseki has #1 tight end upside, so getting him from Miami will be no easy task. Miami has a huge pile of draft picks this offseason and will most likely look to acquire top-end talent to revamp their roster. One could realistically see the Bears offer a fourth-rounder this year or a future third-rounder and maybe a player like Prince Amukamara. Gesecki would be a big get for the Bears and would bring immediate production to the position.
Gerald Everett
Another tight end option the Bears could target via trade is Gerald Everett of the Los Angeles Rams. Everett was a second-round pick in 2017 and, ironically enough, was taken one pick before Adam Shaheen. Everett hasn’t posted stellar numbers since entering the NFL but is still relatively young at 25 and could bring some upside to the position.
In 2019, Everett posted 408 yards and two touchdowns on 37 catches and had his best season so far. It would take less to get Everett than Gesecki, so a fourth-round pick this year could likely pry him away from the Rams.
Free Agent Options
There are also many good tight ends available via free agency. Without certain cuts this offseason, the Bears won’t be major players in the primary market due to cap limitations but could still be in the market for second-tier free agents. They could potentially land another starter on a one-year prove-it deal, similar to the deal for HaHa Clinton-Dix last offseason.
Eric Ebron
One name which comes to mind and that fits that exact situation is Eric Ebron. Ebron had a very good year during Andrew Luck’s final season, posting 750 yards and 13 touchdowns on 66 catches. He missed some time with injury this past season and took a step back playing with Jacoby Brissett, so his market won’t be as big as he likely expects. One could see the Bears offering a one-year deal for Ebron but he certainly won’t be the most cost-efficient option.
Nick Vannett
Another free-agent tight end that would be more affordable for Chicago is Nick Vannett. Vannett is 26 years old and is not a top-tier option like Ebron or Gesecki. However, he would certainly come at a much cheaper cost. Vannett would most likely be a #2 tight end behind Burton and would serve as a valuable run blocker for David Montgomery.
Vannett could realistically be signed to the veteran minimum and would add another new face to the tight end room.
Nagy needs production from the tight end spot to run his offense and the Bears have to bring in at least a couple of new players this offseason. There’s just no way around that.
This team doesn’t need Travis Kelce level production like Nagy had in Kansas City but it has to be better than it was this past season if they want to fix their offensive woes.
Featured Image: Miami Herald
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