When the Bears drafted Adam Shaheen in 2017, some labeled the 6-foot-7 athletic freak “Baby Gronk” — as in, a young version of future First-Ballot Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski. Five years and two teams later, Shaheen has amassed a whopping total of 50 receptions for 509 yards and seven touchdowns — which isn’t even close to the worst season of actual Gronk’s career.
In a way, I guess Shaheen is “Baby Gronk” in that his production pales entirely compared to a long-time superstar tight end.
On Tuesday, someone in the NFL did the unthinkable. They actually gave up tangible assets for Shaheen. Who, you might ask? The Texans, because, of course:
Trade: The #Dolphins have acquired a 2023 6th round pick from the #Texans in exchange for TE Adam Shaheen and a 2023 7th round pick.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022
Let’s be honest. In most cases, a seventh-round pick is worth almost nothing. Surrendering one in a trade for a player is largely inconsequential. But to be so desperate as to trade for someone who makes as little of an impact as Shaheen, even as a run blocker, well, we once again have evidence showing why the Texans are the league’s preeminent bottom feeder.
NFL fans had so many jokes about the desperate Texans trading for Shaheen
Giving up assets for Adam Shaheen in the year of our lord 2022?! Sheesh. https://t.co/6fM3QhkKaw
— Bryce Martin (@ThatBryceMartin) August 9, 2022
Meh, someone needed to carry Brevin Jordan's equipment https://t.co/QBrQwdDffs
— Matt Donnelly (@MattDonnellyFF) August 9, 2022
Landscape of the AFC just shifted https://t.co/OOc7kf2G3o
— Coop Slangmore (@Mike_Coop20) August 9, 2022
🐐 on the move https://t.co/KwdCy8lrYW
— Kyle Popovich (@kylepop16) August 9, 2022
Super bowl bound https://t.co/h6YxiR9Plv
— NFLliott (@ElliottDuggins) August 9, 2022
TE situation must not be good if they trading for Shaheen https://t.co/Wwp2MjHXRO
— Braden Foster (@foster_braden) August 9, 2022
Bears legend https://t.co/ZKVGgwOObp
— Matt (@mgd1084) August 9, 2022
Ryan Poles’ day continues to get worse. Gotta pony up when Baby Gronk is available https://t.co/ra9ZUC7JFi
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) August 9, 2022
A real blockbuster https://t.co/STk5HQbRMR
— Stephen Christian (@Stephen83260551) August 9, 2022
The most early-August NFL trade ever https://t.co/bI9Jo6gBkK
— Nick (@seahawksnerd75) August 9, 2022
The league will never be the same https://t.co/sBzjL8GLvc
— Michael Godfrey (@thebesteverr99) August 9, 2022
The gift that keeps on giving. Can’t be that terrible if he’s still in the league https://t.co/ebxe1KLHdW
— Lucas Perfetti (@LucasPerfetti46) August 9, 2022
