Ranking Chicago Bears in 2022 NFC North Tight End Rooms

Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith (84) and tight end Tyler Conklin (83) prepare to warm up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith (84) and tight end Tyler Conklin (83) prepare to warm up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
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Chicago Bears
(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

2. Chicago Bears: Cole Kmet, Ryan Griffin, James O’Shaughnessy

The debate between Cole Kmet and TJ Hockenson may be closer than some fans think. A big thing in the favor of Kmet is a better history of health, as well as two years in age. Hockenson has shown a bit more, but the two are tight enough to go either way.

What gives Chicago the edge is their depth at tight end. Finally after years of Ryan Pace throwing UDFAs, and questionable decisions at tight ends, the Bears do not have nearly the depth in numbers, but have a better tight end room than any time in the Pace era.

Ryan Griffin is a perfect complementary number two. He is good enough as a blocker and has reliable hands. James O’Shaughnessy has been a reliable depth tight end for the Jaguars in recent years as well.,

No one is saying that this tight-end room is great, but when you compare the resume of Griffin and O’Shaugnessy to the resumes of Brock Wright and James Mitchell, it is clear that the Chicago Bears have the edge. The difference between Kmet and Hockenson does not change that.

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