The Chicago Bears have been the busiest team in the NFL in the week leading up to free agency. They made two big splashes already, trading for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney to bolster their offensive line. On Thursday, they are continuing to build out the offense and give new head coach Ben Johnson a talented team to be competitive in the NFC North.
Their latest signing is a familiar one for Johnson. The Bears announced the signing of tight end Durham Smythe, who was released by the Miami Dolphins after seven years with the team. This is a reunion for Smythe and Johnson who were together in Miami when the latter was the wide receivers coach there in 2018.
The #Bears are signing former #Dolphins TE Durham Smythe to a 1-year deal, source says, as he’s back with Ben Johnson — his former WRs coach in Miami. Smythe was one of the longest tenured Dolphins. pic.twitter.com/KCc7YclSVu
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2025
Durham Smythe and Ben Johnson Reunite in Chicago
Smythe also fills an immediate need for the Bears. The team has no tight end depth behind Cole Kmet, who had his least productive season since his rookie campaign. Gerald Everett, who was signed to a two-year contract last offseason to be the TE2, disappointed in a big way and was released after the season.
With Marcedes Lewis having hit 40 and Stephen Carlson hitting free agency, the Bears had no tight ends besides Kmet.
Smythe fell behind in the Dolphins' pecking order last season among a ton of talented pass-catchers. He lost his snaps and targets to Jonnu Smith and Julian Hill as the season progressed and finished the campaign with only nine catches and 53 yards. He also had his worst season as a pro, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Bears will presumably add another tight end to the mix, either through the draft or free agency. How big of a role Smythe will have with the Bears going forward will depend on how the front office fills out the rest of this roster.