Chicago Bears: 7 starters who will benefit most from playing in the preseason

Jimmy Graham

Chicago’s offensive production in 2019 was poor, to say the least. The weakest part of the Bears’ offense last year was without doubt the tight end position. Injuries kept Trey Burton from meeting expectations, which eventually lead to his release during the offseason. As a result, the Bears added several tight ends to their roster to fill the void left by Burton.

Demetrius Harris signed a one-year deal with Chicago, and the franchise later drafted Cole Kmet in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. However, considering his two-year, $16 million contract, Jimmy Graham will more than likely be the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart for the upcoming season.

Graham wasn’t the red-zone touchdown machine with the Green Bay Packers like he was while playing for the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks, but he still can be a reliable target in those red-zone situations and on critical third downs. The tight end is arguably a quarterback’s favorite safety valve in a tight situation, and Graham’s participation in the preseason will only enhance that much-needed chemistry between him and the quarterback.