How will Chicago Bears use Khari Blasingame on offense?
The Chicago Bears are expected to add some fullback to their offense. Sure, when Matt Nagy technically did not have a fullback, any fullback is more fullback. At the same time, he did use a tight end, J.P. Holtz, as a versatile player who arguably was more of a fullback than anything.
Still, the team moved on from Holtz and now does not have a tight end filling the role, but rather has a fullback and fullback in the name. The team signed Khari Blasingame, who was just with the Tennessee Titans.
Still, while Holtz was a tight end who could play fullback, the Bears want to use Blasingame as a fullback who can be versatile. Check out what running back David Walker had to say about his role:
"“He’s going to be able to do some things for us outside of the traditional fullback role of just being an elite blocker. He’s got some skills. He made a great catch out of the scramble drill today and went downfield. He’s good at the underneath slides. He’s a fullback by trade, but I wouldn’t consider him an old-school fullback role where he’s only going to be a lead blocker. He can handle the ball and do some things.”"
A lot of people want to say that Luke Getsey is a Shanahan tree coach even though his biggest offensive mentor is Joe Moorhead. Still, if there is a Shanahan trait, it may be the fullback usage. We have seen Kyle Juscykz in San Fransisco, but now see that the fullback is making a bit of a return in different offenses. The Packers even drafted Josiah Deguara higher than many expected with their increased usage.
The added dimension could essentially make him their version of Tarik Cohen for Matt Nagy. Nagy talked about adjusters, and that because Cohen could move around pre-snap, he could help identify defenses pre-snap for the quarterback. The issue was that no one was afraid of him between the tackles, and he was limited as a pass-catcher. The one advantage to using a fullback in the adjuster role is that you know he serves a purpose and you have to react when he is in the box. He is that good of a blocker and he presents an option of power.
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Blasingame has played 110, 174, and 96 snaps the past three seasons. You should expect him over 110 and perhaps closer to 174 as the Bears likely were able to draw him to Chicago by their recognition that they will use him.