Training Camp Update: Adam Shaheen

With the first week of training camp in the books, we look at the early performance of rookie Adam Shaheen.

Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears selected Mitch Trubisky with the second pick of the draft and then proceeded to trade down in the second round. Fans and analysts were questioning what Pace was doing. When the Bears’ second round pick was finally announced at the draft, “Adam Shaheen” brought about a collective, “Who?”

Shaheen is from little known Ashland where he dominated the inferior competition and was considered a potentially huge target for a quarterback (he stands 6’6, 280 lbs). Shaheen impressed at OTAs and minicamp and fans were curious how he would respond once training camp opened.

Well, as the old saying goes, so far, so good.

Yes, it’s only practice, but the big question on Shaheen (besides blocking) was how he was going to adjust to bigger, stronger, faster competition. He gets an excellent opportunity to do just that against the first team defense. The impressive grab that Zach Zaidman referenced was over Quintin Demps. Others went on to say that Shaheen just mauled Demps in impressive fashion.

Related Story: Training Camp Update: Tarik Cohen

Shaheen looks like he’s going to be a year one contributor. The tight end position is crowded so don’t expect him to go for 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, but Shaheen is going to be on the field and he’s going to make some important plays for the offense this year.

It’s an excellent sign that guys like Shaheen and Tarik Cohen look excellent thus far. Coupled with a great draft class from 2016, as long as Ryan Pace keeps drafting the way he’s doing, the Chicago Bears are going to be on the road to recovery and will be a playoff team before you know it.