Chicago Bears: 2021 53-man roster projection heading into training camp

Predicting the Chicago Bears 53-man roster: Tight Ends

The Chicago Bears are hoping that Cole Kmet is going to take the next step and develop into a top tight end in the NFL. He had a solid rookie season with 28 catches on 44 targets for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Most rookies struggle in their first season, Kmet showed enough promise and should be the top tight end in the offense even with Jimmy Graham still around.

I have the team keeping four tight ends this year. That is one less than last season and how the team can afford to keep a third quarterback on the roster. Jimmy Graham is obviously sticking around with Kmet. The decision for Matt Nagy and coaches will be who falls in place behind the two.

This offseason, the team added Jake Butt to the roster. Butt was a fifth-round draft pick by the Broncos in 2017. He has not amounted to very much to this point in his career, but I actually think he could make the final 53-man roster for the Bears. There isn’t much competition for him as the team only has J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted and undrafted free agent Scooter Harrington to compete against.

As of now, the Chicago Bears will be keeping four tight ends on the roster.

• Cole Kmet
• Jimmy Graham
• J.P. Holtz
• Jake Butt