Chicago Bears: 5 Tight ends to target in 2020 NFL free agency

One of the Chicago Bears’ struggles in 2019 was at tight end, so who can they target at the position in 2020 NFL free agency to improve that area?

We all know that the Chicago Bears‘ offense struggled mightily in 2019. The numbers aren’t pretty. They ranked 29th in points and total yards, 28th in first downs, 25th in passing yards and passing touchdowns, dead last in yards per pass attempt, 27th in rushing yards, 28th in rushing touchdowns, and 29th in yards per rush.

The frustrating part of this is that despite all of this, the Bears finished 8-8. Many consider that to be a disappointment, especially for a team that finished 12-4 the season before, but with those awful numbers, this should’ve been a team with 3-4 wins.

There are several reasons why the offense struggled. One key reason, however, is the play of their tight ends. The Bears came in with Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen and had high hopes for both. Burton had a good season in 2018 until he suffered a sports hernia injury late in the year. He had offseason surgery for it but never was healthy enough to make a mark in 2019. The Bears ultimately placed him on injured reserve when he suffered a calf injury as well.

The Bears had high hopes for Shaheen ever since he was selected in the second round (45th overall) of the 2017 draft. Injuries kept him from staying on the field consistently and then this season we found out that he also did have a good work ethic. Head coach Matt Nagy called him out on it late in the season.

I expect to see Burton return in 2020. As I mentioned, he had a good 2018 season. With the injuries derailing his 2019, he’ll get another shot to lead the tight end group. He runs very good routes and has good hands and he is a dependable red zone target (11 touchdowns between 2017 and 2018).

Shaheen, on the other hand, is likely out. He’s had his chances and hasn’t done anything to call for keeping him. Additionally, they save close to $1.3 million in cap space. If nothing else, Shaheen helps the Bears in one area, even if it’s just a small relief.

Therefore, the Bears need to fix the tight end unit. They need to have dependable backups behind Burton, perhaps even having someone who could have the Bears play a double tight end set. They need a veteran tight end to provide help right away and maybe draft someone to prepare him to eventually take over as a starter.

Here are five tight ends the Chicago Bears should target in free agency this offseason.