Chicago Bears: 4 reasons why the Bears will make the playoffs in 2020
By Joseph Herff
No. 2 – Chicago Bears improved the tight end room
This may seem like a very minor thing, but an improved tight end room goes a long way for the Bears’ offense. The style of offense that Matt Nagy runs (similar to Andy Reid and Doug Pederson) is run through great tight end play. That explains how important it is for both offenses to have a killer tight end. Kansas City has Travis Kelce and even though Philadelphia has Zach Ertz, they still drafted Dallas Goedert with a second-round pick.
All three of those offenses rely on 12 personnel a lot to open up the entire offense. For example, according to Sharp Football, the past two seasons, the Eagles have ranked 1st both seasons in 12 personnel percentage. The Chiefs ranked in the top five both seasons as well. Even with bad options at ‘Y’ tight end, the Bears ran 12 personnel at the 13th highest rate in the NFL. In 2019, they were the 3rd lowest rate because of all the injuries. It showed in their offense.
12 personnel also brings pressure off the offensive line. A good blocking tight end can line up on the line of scrimmage and help the offensive line pass protect and run block as well. That’s what Demetrius Harris was brought in for and why the Bears drafted Cole Kmet.
The ‘U’ tight end functions as an absolute mismatch and an outlet pass. Both Kelce and Ertz were their team’s respective leading receivers. Graham will be a mismatch lining up as a wide receiver having either a small nickel cover him or a slower linebacker. In 2018, Trey Burton had a great year for the Bears despite health issues. He still caught 54 passes for 569 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Bears offense is run through the tight end. Having the tight ends not only helps the quarterback but also helps Nagy as well to call plays because he can create more mismatches and advantages with two solid tight ends.