The Bears have a glaring need at the tight end position, and they began addressing it with the signing of former Browns tight end Demetrius Harris.
While Chicago’s tight end search will continue well into free agency and the NFL Draft, the Bears brought in a solid option that excels as a blocking tight end in Harris.
From a Matt Nagy connection to basketball roots, here are five things to know about Chicago’s newest tight end.
1. Harris outperformed every Bears tight end in 2019
When you look at how Bears tight ends performed as a whole in 2019, it’s hard not to find a tight end that performed worse than Chicago’s collective group. With Harris joining the roster, he immediately becomes the Bears’ most productive weapon from a season ago, with 15 receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
That says more about Chicago’s struggles than Harris’ success, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to bring in a tight end that had more production than every other tight end on your roster a season ago.
2. Matt Nagy coached Harris in Kansas City
The moment the Browns released Harris on Monday, he became a popular candidate to reunite with Matt Nagy in Chicago. Harris played tight end with the Chiefs from 2014-2018, including in 2017 when Matt Nagy served as offensive coordinator.
Now, Harris is certainly no Travis Kelce (and the Bears will likely target a bigger name(s) in free agency and the NFL Draft to fill that role.) But Harris is familiar with Nagy’s system and you figure Nagy has enough familiarity with Harris to believe he can help the Bears in 2020.
3. Harris played the “U” and “Y” tight end with Chiefs
Harris’ familiarity with Nagy’s offense certainly helps. While Harris has played both the “U” (move) and “Y” (blocking) tight end in this same system with the Chiefs, he figures to serve primarily as the team’s “Y” tight end.
Adam Shaheen, whose future is uncertain, currently serves as the “Y” tight end, and Harris will be great competition at the position — and will likely oust Shaheen from the starting job.
4. Harris didn’t play football in college
Interestingly enough, Chicago’s newest — and most productive, as of last season — tight end didn’t even play college football. Like Shaheen, Harris played basketball in college.
Harris, who stands tall at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, played college basketball at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2013, where he spent his first five seasons with the Chiefs. Harris’ size makes him an intriguing possibility as a redzone threat.
5. Harris is one of the league’s best blocking tight ends
Yes, Harris had more receiving yards than any Bears tight end did in 2019. But it’s Harris’ blocking skills that were some of the best in the NFL. Harris was the ninth-best blocking tight end in the league in 2019. Given that Harris is likely to serve as the “Y” tight end in Nagy’s offense, it certainly helps that blocking is one of his biggest strengths.
