Chicago Bears: Adam Shaheen has top tight end upside

Trey Burton is making big tight end money, but Adam Shaheen has the upside to the be the Chicago Bears most productive tight end

If you have been following the site you would know that this is a pro-Adam Shaheen account. We broke down his run blocking efforts, and saw a better than anticipated in-line blocker. We broke down his targets and saw a tight end underutilized with major upside.

Now, Chicago Bears tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride has officially agreed with the BGO account. He said that while Trey Burton may see the most snaps this season, Shaheen may be the star of the group:

"“I felt when he was in college, because I did evaluate him, that he was a very good pass-catching tight end and they could split him out and do lots of different things with him,” Gilbride said. “I wasn’t sure how his run-blocking would transition to this level. When I put the film on, I was impressed to see that it had. I do think he has a lot of upside.”“I see the speed down the field. It’s another big, big man who can move,” he said. “It’s been impressive to see with very solid hands and a huge target. Yes, he can develop into that down-the-field, pass-catching tight end as well, to go along with the rest of the game.”"

For anyone who has watched the college tape of Shaheen, you are nodding in agreement with the sentiments made by Gilbride.

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If there is one thing we knew coming out, it is that Shaheen could go up and get it. However, a former basketball player in a jump ball tight ends body did not get reps lined up in-line to block in college. He was too big of a matchup in the air.

Still, like us, Gilbride put on the blocking tape and walked away with a changed perception of his upside. Shaheen has the chance to be the do-everything tight end. Slot, out wide, in-line. Over the middle, in the trenches, and in the red zone.

The Chicago Bears might have the makings of an elite tight end in Adam Shaheen. We will see if he is able to become that player in year two.