Chicago Bears Training Camp: Adam Shaheen opening eyes lately

The Chicago Bears could have a sneaky-good group at the tight end position this coming season.

Monday morning, the Chicago Bears were back at it. While we have seen several standout players thus far in training camp, one particular second-year tight end took center stage.

Adam Shaheen, a 2017 second round pick out of Ashland, is coming into his sophomore year after a somewhat quiet rookie campaign. It seemed as though former head coach John Fox either didn’t know how to use Shaheen last year, or he didn’t want to. Regardless, you can rest assured Shaheen will be used this season.

Already, Shaheen has given fans some impressive moments in camp. Monday morning, that continued with two phenomenal catches in the red zone. Thanks to Da Bears Bros, check out the first touchdown grab:

In this one, you can see the mismatch from the get-go. Slot corner Bryce Callahan is shadowing Shaheen at the line of scrimmage, split out wide. There is a bit of a disparity in size, of course. Shaheen makes the catch look routine, though, as Callahan didn’t stand a chance from the beginning.

Just a little while later, Shaheen showed out yet again. This time, it was at the expense of undrafted rookie cornerback Michael Joseph out of Dubuque. Deiondre’ Hall also attempted to come in and help, but it was far too late.

This should be no surprise to fans who have taken the time to show up at camp thus far in 2018. Shaheen has made touchdown catch after touchdown catch every single day of training camp. It’s making us wonder just why and how Fox and former offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains couldn’t find a place for him as a rookie.

Just his size alone should give defensive backs nightmares in the red zone. At 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, Shaheen truly exemplifies his college nickname, “Baby Gronk.” That nickname might sound ridiculous to some, and I’ll never go on record saying Shaheen is the next Rob Gronkowski. But, again, based on size, it holds up pretty well.

Other than his size, though, if Shaheen continues to prove he can make the difficult catches inside the 20, quarterback Mitch Trubisky is going to have one heck of a target during those crucial downs. He already has newcomer Trey Burton, who is more of the smaller, athletic tight end. With Shaheen’s continued development, Trubisky is going to have a pair of big weapons when he needs them most.