Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.
We’re continuing with the tight end position, which experienced an overhaul this offseason following the departures of Jimmy Graham, Jesse James, J.P. Holtz and Jesper Horsted and an influx of new talent under general manager Ryan Poles.
Cole Kmet remains the only tight end on the roster from a year ago, where he’ll be the featured guy for the Bears offense. Kmet is coming off an encouraging second season, but he’s looking to finally break out in a pivotal Year 3.
Let’s take a look at the quarterbacks heading into training camp:
Cole Kmet
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Cole Kmet is entering his third season, where he’s expected to serve as the starting tight end for a second straight year. Kmet is coming off an encouraging sophomore season, where he saw his production double since his rookie year with 60 catches for 612 yards and no touchdowns. He was the second-leading receiver behind Darnell Mooney. But with Jimmy Graham out of the picture, Kmet figures to get more of a chance to contribute in the red zone.
Ryan Griffin
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Ryan Griffin provides some depth at the tight end position, where the expectation is he’ll serve as Kmet’s backup. Griffin is a 10-year veteran, where he’ll be able to bring leadership to a young tight end group. He’s served primarily as a backup tight end, but he’s seen his fair share of targets in that role throughout his career. Griffin is someone who can contribute as a pass catcher and in run blocking, and he should carve out a nice role for himself on offense.
James O’Shaughnessy
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
James O’Shaughnessy was another depth signing at the tight end position this offseason, and it’s not a surprise to find him in Chicago. O’Shaughnessy was drafted by the Chiefs when Ryan Poles was a college scouting director in Kansas City, so he’s familiar with him. O’Shaughnessy becomes the second homegrown Chicago native tight end — he grew up in Naperville and attended Illinois State University — joining Kmet. O’Shaughnessy factors in as the TE3, where he’ll have limited opportunities behind Kmet and Griffin. But he’s shown in the past that he can make due with limited…
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