The Chicago Bears are gearing up for training camp this week as the entire league sets its sights on the 2025 campaign.
Fans in the Windy City have plenty of reasons to be hopeful that a return to the postseason is on the way now that the team is under the guidance of first-year head coach Ben Johnson with former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback.
While the future may be bright in Chicago, Bears fans saw a recent member of the roster elect to call it quits on Tuesday and walk away from the game he played for 13 years as a professional.
Former Bear Jimmy Graham Announces Retirement After 13-Year Career
Jimmy Graham only spent two seasons as a member of the Bears organization, but he certainly left his mark with his play week in and week out. Tuesday, Graham officially announced his plans to retire as a member of the franchise that he started and ended his career with, the New Orleans Saints.
Mickey Loomis confirms that Jimmy Graham will retired as a Saint. He won't have to sign a one-day contract because his last team was the #Saints.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) July 22, 2025
Loomis also made nods to his eventual induction into the Saints HOF and Ring of Honor.
The former two-sport star from the University of Miami appeared in 31 games for Chicago and was a menace in the red zone and on third down. Of his 64 receptions during his tenure in Chicago, 42 led to the Bears picking up a first down and 11 led to Chicago getting into the end zone.
Following the 2021 season, Graham was not retained by the Bears. At the age of 35, it was easy to think that Graham's best days were behind him, and it made sense for Chicago to move on as Cole Kmet waited to take on the role of being the No. 1 option at tight end.
Graham's story with the Bears ended there, but his NFL career hadn't come to a close just yet. After sitting out the 2022 season, Graham returned to the league in 2023 and signed with the Saints. Much like his time in Chicago, Graham was used as a receiving threat in the red zone, with four of his six receptions on the season going for touchdowns.
Now, the former Bears tight end can enjoy retirement and the accolades that will come with it.