11 tight ends Chicago Bears may sign in NFL free agency 2023

9. Is Zach Gentry a fit with the Chicago Bears

Zach Gentry was a former quarterback at Michigan who adjusted to tight end after failing to win a starting job. Most former quarterbacks who turn tight end are exceptional athletes who mature into pass catchers. Not Zach Gentry. In his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he has 736 blocking snaps and 423 pass-catching snaps. He blocks on 64% of his snaps.

Most of that has come over the past two seasons. He has 69 snaps in his first two years, and 1,090 the last two years. At age 26, this is exactly what the Chicago Bears want, as he is hitting his best play right now.

The Pittsburgh Steelers use Zach Gentry in the same way the Chicago Bears would. Pat Friermuth is comparable to Cole Kmet, and he is highlighted more as a pass catcher in Pittsburgh because they use Gentry as their in-line blocker. These are the names to keep an eye on.