Chicago Bears: 6 Free agent targets to pursue in 2020 offseason

Darren Fells, Tight End

While quarterback Mitchell Trubisky struggled in many areas this season, one area that made his job more difficult was the loss of his main tight ends. Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen missed big chunks of the season and combined for zero touchdowns in 2019.

A quarterback needs his tight end to be a security blanket. He is a big target and that size helps him make big catches, especially in the red zone. Trubisky had that security blanket pulled out from under him and had nothing backing it up.

I see Shaheen not returning in 2020. His career with the Chicago Bears was filled with injuries and underwhelming play. Then, right before his season ended, head coach Matt Nagy publicly questioned Shaheen’s work ethic. Things don’t look good for Shaheen’s return.

Burton, on the other hand, had a productive 2018 season. He suffered a sports hernia injury at the end of the season and required offseason surgery. He was never really healthy throughout the season and when he suffered a calf injury as well, the Bears decided to shut him down. I think the Bears like what he did when he was healthy and believe he’ll produce again (569 receiving yards and six touchdowns).

The Bears need to have quality backups in case Burton goes down again. They may draft someone but they’ll need a veteran to help both Burton and Trubisky.

Darren Fells is that help. Fells had a good 2019 season. Fells had 34 catches for 341 yards and seven touchdowns. His touchdown catches ranked him third among tight ends.

Fells started the season as a forgotten player among the Houston Texans’ tight ends. He became one of Deshaun Watson‘s favorite end zone targets. He caught a touchdown pass in Houston’s Divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bears could go with a two tight end formation and give Trubisky options. With Robinson, Anthony Miller, Tarik Cohen and David Montgomery all with the ability to be useful in the passing game, adding Burton and Fells prevents opposing defenses from keying in and double-teaming any particular player. Also, with a healthy Burton, Fells, Robinson, and acrobatic receivers in Miller and Riley Ridley, Trubisky has a better shot at completing touchdowns in 2020.