The Chicago Bears should not pursue this veteran tight end

After Kyle Rudolph announced his departure from the New York Giants, it’s a force of habit to think the Chicago Bears will enter their name into the ring of bids.

The Chicago Bears tight end room doesn’t need help, not even from Kyle Rudolph

However, that’s nearly the last of the Bears’ needs, as their tight end room is more than capable of producing numbers. With guys like Cole Kmet, Jesper Horsted, and Jesse James, it’s hard to believe that the Chicago Bears think they’re a Kyle Rudolph away from winning a Super Bowl— or even getting close to one.

"Chicago Bears’ tight end production 2021-22Cole Kmet: 935 snaps (83% of offensive snaps in games played), 93 targets, 60 receptions, 612 yards, 0 TDsJesse James: 265 snaps (29% of offensive snaps in games played), 8 targets, 7 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TDJesper Horsted: 6 snaps (1% of offensive snaps in games played), 3 targets, 2 receptions, 21 yards, 2 TDs"

Now, as you can see— and as many made apparent online— Cole Kmet wasn’t able to bring in a single touchdown last year. No touchdowns even though he was on the field for ~85% of offensive snaps in games he played; and I agree, that stat sticks out like a sore thumb. However, his lack of touchdown production doesn’t justify pursuing Kyle Rudolph.

"Kyle Rudolph production 2021-22500 snaps (48% of offensive snaps in games played), 39 targets, 26 receptions, 257 yards, 1 TD"

A move like bringing in 32-year-old Kyle Rudolph just reminds me of the Jimmy Graham deal all over again. Paying a veteran tight end too much money to not do that much.

Not only that, but Jesper Horsted and Jesse James are absolutely capable of being a TE2 behind Cole Kmet. Considering the likely offense that’s going to be run by Luke Getsy and Matt Eberflus,  two-tight end sets are likely to be used often. That being said, the current tight end room has plenty of time to gel together to create a nasty three-headed tight end monster.

Is my Bears bias showing? Sure, I can admit that hyping up a tight end that has three total receptions in last year’s regular season could be influenced by bias, but at the same time, Jesper Horsted is 100% deserving of a true chance at being a tight end.

Not only that, but he caught the very first NFL touchdown thrown by Justin Fields. That has to count for something, right?

Standing at 6’4″ and weighing in at 241 pounds, he isn’t the biggest tight end, but he’s a tight end that plays much bigger than his size. Not only that but being surrounded by Cole Kmet (6’6″, 260 lbs) and Jesse James (6’7″, 251 lbs), there isn’t need for the basketball-player tight end like Kyle Rudolph.

The need for wide receivers, offensive line, and defensive backs is far more important, and at the end of the day, those are the moves that are going to bring this team closer to their ultimate goal.

With all that said, I just don’t think there’s an immense need— or really any need— for Ryan Poles or the Chicago Bears to entertain the idea of bringing in Kyle Rudolph.