Who will be the Bears' WR2?
The NFL is ever-changing. As recently as a decade ago, running backs were every team's need. If you had a Matt Forte, Marshawn Lynch, or Adrian Peterson your team was going to be successful. Then a shift happened in the NFL world. Receivers took over the spotlight as a team's big need and running backs became a dime a dozen. Now teams want Tyreek Hill, Davonte Adams, and Cooper Kupp. Mix in a Travis Kelce-type tight end and you have a deadly combination.
The Kelce, Kittle, and Gronk-style tight ends are picking up steam. They are a match-up nightmare and the NFL is slowly starting to change its focus on who a quarterback's best weapon is going to be. The Bears have not drafted or signed anyone like the three standouts. But they do have Cole Kmet, James O'Shaughnessy, Ryan Griffin, Jesper Horsted, Jake Tongues, and Chase Allen. It's starting to look like we're hoarding tight ends again. O'Shaughnessy and Ryan Griffin are known more for their blocking, not so much their versatility. But OC Luke Getsy was quoted saying:
"The flexibility as a player, I think he has all that stuff, I'm excited to see him have a bunch of different roles in our offense. Some players that are out there, they're kind of like, this is what they do well. But I think the more guys that you can get in a system that can do a bunch of different things, the more success you're going to have, and I think Cole is one of those guys."
I get the feeling that while everyone was begging Poles to find a great number two receiver to team up with Mooney, he was thinking he might have one in Kmet. Steering away from more receivers and more money. Hoping to develop a Hill/Kelce relationship. Poles did sign Pringle and St. Brown and drafted Velus Jones. Not any huge names, but they are guys who can get things done. Getsy has high hopes for St. Brown and the coaching staff loves Jones' burner speed. But target-wise, look for a lot more tight-end involvement this coming year.
Previously on LetsBearDown
POLL |
6 JUILLET | 37 ANSWERS Who will be the Bears' WR2? Assuming Mooney is first, who's going to be #2 in yards this season? |
Cole Kmet | 11 | 29.7 % |
Velus Jones | 9 | 24.3 % |
Equanimeous St. Brown | 10 | 27 % |
Byron Pringle | 7 | 18.9 % |
List of polls |
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