Chicago Bears: 5 optimistic predictions for the 2020 season

2. Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham become a top tight end duo

When the Bears signed Jimmy Graham back to a two-year deal worth $16 million dollars in free agency, many wondered what general manager Ryan Pace was up to. Of all the moves that needed to be made, why would Pace sign an aging tight end?

Because he would be a valuable mentor for whichever tight end the Bears would draft. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise but everything that’s come out of Halas Hall over the last few weeks suggests that Graham has become an excellent mentor for second-round rookie Cole Kmet.

Let’s be real: Graham and Kmet already have the Bears buzzing, compared to a year ago, when the team’s top-two tight ends were Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen. Between Graham and Kmet, the two have what it takes to burst onto the scene this year and take the NFL by storm,

It’s highly unlikely that the Bears get the New Orleans version of Jimmy Graham, a All-Pro who made the Pro Bowl in 2013 with 16 receiving touchdowns. However, a serviceable Graham, who wasn’t even a focal point in the Green Bay Packers offense last year still managed to haul in 38 receptions for 447 yards, and three touchdowns.

Can Kmet have a major impact in 2020? Yes and no. He does a lot of things that the Bears like and while he may lack breakaway speed, he provides the offense with another big target in the middle of the field.

With Kmet and Graham, expect to see a lot of 12 personnel, allowing for Matt Nagy to get creative and integrate both tight ends into the offense which could go a long way towards determining how the offense plays in 2020.