Chicago Bears: Adam Shaheen’s health important for offense
In order for the Chicago Bears to succeed in 2019, tight end Adam Shaheen needs to stay healthy and play well.
After a successful 2018 season, the Chicago Bears and their fans have high hopes for 2019. Mix in the feelings of unfinished business after the way they lost their playoff game and this seems to be a team on a mission.
A big key for a successful season is the Bears offense. Their 2018 season wasn’t too bad, but they left some points on the table. They ranked ninth in points scored but finished 21st in yards. There were some missed passes and busted plays that, if completed, would have raised their points ranking even higher.
Part of the reason for the missed plays was because the players were learning head coach Matt Nagy’s new system. Additionally, injuries attributed to it. For example, Allen Robinson was coming back from a torn ACL injury and 2018 was his first season back.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Another example was tight end Adam Shaheen. He suffered a foot injury in the preseason that prevented him from hitting the field until Week 10. He missed two more games with injuries as well.
Shaheen needs to be a big part of the offense in 2019 and moving forward. At 6-6, 270 pounds, he gives quarterback Mitch Trubisky a huge target, especially in the red zone. Additionally, having Shaheen on the field helps Trey Burton. Shaheen runs very good, crisp routes and has soft hands to make almost any catch. The opposing defense cannot key in on Burton with Shaheen on the field. Having both on the field gives the Bears a tight end duo that can do many things on the field, making the offense more dangerous.
Shaheen shows flashes of how good he can be. Also, he’s improved greatly as a pass blocker. His injuries, however, keep him from the consistency he needs to show. He decided this offseason to do things a little differently. He turned to martial arts to try to keep healthy this season, per the Daily Herald:
"I lost a little weight, did some things this off-season like got into a bunch of Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu, as well as the lifting stuff to get in better shape as well as doing stuff, a lot more ‘pre-hab’ stuff."
Some people say that this could be a make or break season for Shaheen. He doesn’t feel any pressure, though. He feels confident in his abilities. He feels that as long as he stays healthy he’ll be fine, also per the Daily Herald.
"No, my thing is being healthy. If I’m healthy, I’m very confident in what I can do is what it comes down to for me."
Burton went down with a sports hernia injury and missed OTAs. The team says he should be ready to go and not miss time, but if the injury lingers, Shaheen’s importance becomes greater. After Burton and Shaheen, the Bears don’t have anyone who they consider a bona fide starter who could take over. The coaches were so desperate they converted former offensive lineman Bradley Sowell to a tight end.
Next. 5 NFL players under pressure in 2019. dark
Shaheen is entering his third season with the Chicago Bears. We still don’t know what they have in him. We see what he could become, but there are plenty of stories of “could haves” and “should haves” strewn around the NFL landscape. It’s time for Shaheen to step up and show his worth.