The Chicago Bears addressed a hole at tight end in free agency with the signing of veteran Jimmy Graham.
But that doesn’t mean it was the right decision.
The Bears gave Graham a two-year, $16 million deal with $9 million in guaranteed money, which ranks him second only to Cleveland’s Austin Hooper in free agency.
It’s safe to say that most football fans are confused at best and angry at worst about general manager Ryan Pace’s decision to bring in Graham.
Bleacher Report ranked the Bears’ acquisition of Graham as the second-worst move in free agency thus far.
But agreeing to sign Jimmy Graham to a two-year, $16 million deal (with $9 million guaranteed) hardly seems like the best use of the little cap space the Bears have. Graham will be 34 in November, and he lacks the athleticism he possessed in his prime.
Plus, if Graham could barely produce with Aaron Rodgers under center, is he really going to be a dynamic playmaker alongside either of Chicago’s quarterbacks? Nick Foles might be an upgrade over Mitchell Trubisky, but he is also a quarterback with a propensity for throwing the deep ball, and Graham is no longer a deep threat.
The fact that the Steelers got Eric Ebron, who was the better option, for cheaper only makes Pace’s decision look even worse. Sure, there’s the New Orleans connection, as Pace was there when the Saints drafted Graham. But Chicago overpaid for Graham, that much is for sure.
Graham, 33, isn’t the same player he once was, and if Aaron Rodgers couldn’t get production out of him, what makes Pace think Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles can?
It’s fair to question Pace’s eye for spotting offensive talent, especially at some important positions for Matt Nagy’s offense.
Pace sure knows how to build a great defensive roster. If only he could manage the same on offense.
