Chicago Bears: 5 Players with most to prove in training camp

1. TE Adam Shaheen

This one would be a shocker if he didn’t make the team. I think Adam Shaheen makes the team, but wouldn’t be shocked if he got traded. He has a lot to prove. He has great size and good talent, but injuries are starting to take a toll. He’s missed 13 games in two seasons and those missed games hurt his ability to show how good he really is.

Shaheen went on a new offseason conditioning program that included using martial arts. He said he felt great going into training camp. The injury bug hit again, however. Three days into camp he suffered lower back pain. He missed several days of camp, with head coach Matt Nagy saying that he didn’t think it was too serious, via the Daily Herald:

"“He is a big guy and he’s been working on his flexibility, but for us, I personally don’t look at it as too much of a concern. We want Adam to be healthy for Week 1, so whenever that is, there is no need for us to push anything. I’m not real concerned about it.”"

Nagy might not have thought it was serious but when he started camp on Thursday, he again suffered pain and he gingerly walked off the field. He later came back but without his pads and helmets.

Shaheen is an important part of the offense. Pairing him with Trey Burton gives the Bears an incredible advantage, especially in the red zone. Both players run good routes and have great hands. They give Trubisky not just one big target but two. The opposing defenses would have to pick their poison — cover one and the other has an advantage. If they cover both, then that gives the wide receivers open space.

The Bears spent a second-round pick on Shaheen. He is too valuable for the Bears to just give up on. However, if this back injury becomes something to worry about, then the time for the Chicago Bears to cut bait and look elsewhere. It probably happens next season, but may happen later in this year’s training camp if this injury becomes more serious.