The Chicago Bears have been linked to multiple receivers in free agency as the debate of whether or not they bring Keenan Allen back continues.
If they do not bring Allen back, they will lose 121 targets from last year's offense, and while the Bears are looking for Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore to pick up some of that slack, they also need more to fill that big of a void. while the team likely will add a receiver, it is worth wondering how much of a need that is, and whether tight end is equally as valuable.
Is tight end an underrated need for the Chicago Bears?
Last season, the Detroit Lions had two tight ends on the field for 32% of their offensive plays, when the league average was 21%. This could be Ben Johnson working with his personnel, but the team also ranked fourth in Expected Points Added per play using that personnel.
The Bears could be trending in another direction with this offense knowing that they have two wide receivers who will be featured heavily. They should invest their money and draft picks on both lines, so their spending on another wide receiver is fruitless. It is easier to bring in a blocking tight end that not only compliments that wide receiver but also Cole Kmet than it is to bring in a receiver who can actually bring in an impact on Sundays.
The team may even add Dan Skipper, who was used as an extra tight end for the Lions at times, or they could add a fullback. Being able to add multiple players and positions like this may make receiver less of a need.