Chicago Bears: 5 must-sign free agents after 2021 NFL Draft
By Ryan Heckman
Post-NFL Draft must-sign free agents for the Chicago Bears: TE Jesse James
One of the areas the Bears did not address in the draft was at tight end, but mostly because there are still quite a few out there. The Bears have pass-catching prowess in Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham. But, the fact is, they need one more veteran who can help block.
Former Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James is still extremely young (26 years old, believe it or not) and is still unsigned. He would be the perfect fit on this current roster that boasts pass-catchers at the position.
James can be effective in the passing game, but his best work comes as a blocker. James is a tough, strong player who would fill the role of Demetrius Harris whom the Bears haven’t brought back.
Although there is a ton of hype around Justin Fields and the Bears’ potential passing attack, Matt Nagy still wants to run the football and run it well. His desire is for his offense to begin with the run game, and end with it. The offense will flow through establishing the run, and James would come into play more often than not when David Montgomery is on the field.
The Bears could get James on a relatively cheap deal. His salary last year was roughly $2.5 million with the Lions, so if the Bears were able to bring him in at this point with a deal worth $1 to $1.5 million annually, that would be well worth it.