Chicago Bears: Grading the early 2018 free agency moves
Taylor Gabriel, Wide Receiver (Four years, $26 million)
The Chicago Bears franchise is one entrenched in tradition. They are a traditional team that runs the ball and has a great defense to win games. That kind of game went away with the dinosaurs. With Matt Nagy and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich running the offense, that all changes.
While the new-look offense gained some size, speed is an important factor for success. Pace went out and provided it.
One of the speedsters is Taylor Gabriel. He’s technically a slot receiver with 4.3 speed. In 2016, he matched Atlanta Falcons teammate Julio Jones by making 8 touchdown receptions. I say technically because with his speed you could move him around. That was one of the reasons he said he wanted to go to Chicago.
Gabriel on why he signed here: "Nagy's offense, just his creativity and things he did with the Chiefs." ...Cites how the Chiefs moved Tyreek Hill around the formation and utilized him.
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) March 15, 2018
Before adding speed to the offense, the Bears already had a speed burner in Tarik Cohen. Now they add Gabriel to pair with him. One of the criticisms of last year’s offense was how in addition to Shaheen, Cohen was severely underused. Looking at what the Kansas City Chiefs did with Tyreke Hill and what the New Orleans Saints did with Alvin Kamara, Cohen should’ve been used similarly. Now there are two players in the offense who can take advantage of their speed. In addition to defenses having to worry about big bodies, they need to watch out for shifty speedsters.
The addition of Gabriel adds an important wrinkle to an offense that is finally in the modern times.
Grade: A-