Who will be the backups at tight end for the Chicago Bears?
After the main three tight ends who are basically locks to make the team, the other remaining six tight ends will likely compete for one spot on the team and one spot on the practice squad. This will be the real competition, and it can be anyone’s game.
Those six tight ends competing are Jesper Horsted, J.P. Holtz, Ben Braunecker, Adam Shaheen, Eric Saubert, and Darion Clark. All of these tight ends outside of Clark took snaps for the Bears last season.
The expected real competitors for the backup job are J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted, and Ben Braunecker. Holtz showed great value as a fullback and at tight end in a backup capacity. His blocking ability is very good. Horsted showed great value last season as a receiving tight end. The main issue with Horsted is he is horribly slow. Braunecker has been on the Bears for four seasons now as mainly a blocking tight end but hasn’t shown more than that.
Shaheen will likely be cut to save money and essentially get rid of the mistake they made in drafting him. Saubert was brought in last season when the Bears struggled with injuries and didn’t play much, so I find it hard to believe he will be back. Clark is a former USC basketball player that could be a darkhorse and a practice squad candidate after being cut.