The Chicago Bears are in need of some tight end help and Jimmy Graham is in need of a new team. Moving south from Green Bay would be a perfect scenario for the aging veteran.
The Chicago Bears watched Adrian Amos pack his money bags and move north last season. To be honest, the Packers overpaid for Amos and the Bears walked away with a fourth-round compensatory pick because of it. One downside to the situation is that Ryan Pace will once again have to find a replacement for Amso as Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will likely be walking away with his money bags come the start of free agency.
What would be a nice turn of events though is if the Chicago Bears were able to lure, recently released, tight end Jimmy Graham to move two hours and forty-five minutes south of Lambeau Field and into Hals Hall. Graham did not live up to expectations in Green Bay, but to be honest, the Packers do not have a great history with the tight end group — especially in the red zone. The team has not had a tight end perform at a high level since Jermichael Finley.
Moving to Chicago makes perfect sense for Graham though. The Packers cut Graham to save salary cap space. The 33-year-old tight end was slotted to cost the team over $11 million dollars this season. Graham will turn 34 in late November this year. The market will be interesting for Graham, but I think we will see something similar to Greg Olsen‘s contract from the Seahawks.
Olsen signed a one-year deal with Seattle worth $7 million dollars. I am on record of wanting the Bears to add Olsen. I am also on record of wanting Tyler Eifert on a cheap deal to pair with Burton and a draft pick. The better option and perfect scenario would be adding Graham now instead. He has not missed a game in four years and would fit nicely into Matt Nagy’s tight end role.
Despite not putting up elite numbers in Green Bay, Graham was still relatively solid. During his two years with the Packers, Graham averaged 541 yards, 46 catches and 3 touchdowns per season. We only have to go back three years to 2017 to see Graham scoring 10 touchdowns in a season with Seattle.
His age does not worry me that much. As I stated, he has been relatively injury-free. Other tight ends have played at a top-10 level well into their mid to late 30’s. Names like Delanie Walker, Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez all played well at an older age than Graham will be during the 2020 season.
Unfortunately, I have a feeling he will wind up back with the Saints, but coming to Chicago would be a fantastic pairing for both the Bears and Graham. The team should still look to draft a tight end, but snagging Graham to a two-year deal makes sense. Burton can go back to be a reserve-roll and the rookie they draft can develop. Your tight end room goes from being a joke to top-notch immediately. They can cut Burton in 2021 and further develop the rookie behind Graham. Perfect.