Just ask this question. Is the Chicago Bears tight end position fixed? They added Jimmy Graham to the mix, who turns 34-years old this year. Outside of that, they've done nothing else. It appears they're banking on Trey Burton staying healthy this season while Demetrius Harris handles the blocking duties. Head coach Matt Nagy and his staff might be fine with that, but given the importance of tight ends to this offense? They might be more comfortable adding one more piece.
Most are looking to the draft for such options. However, the general consensus is the 2020 class is fairly light on solid talents. So could Ryan Pace look to the trade market for an answer? That possibility just grew somewhat. According to former GM Michael Lombardi, he's of the belief that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will consider moving former 1st round pick O.J. Howard at some point in the near future.
Given Lombardi and Buccaneers GM Jason Licht have ties through the New England Patriots, this is not something to simply write off. If there is truth to this, the Bears absolutely should be interested.
Howard would fit Chicago Bears offense like a glove
Some have wondered if Howard just isn't living up to his draft status. Then again, when looking at the offenses he's played in for Tampa Bay, it's fair to wonder if he's been given a chance. Howard was never one of the featured targets in the passing game for the Buccaneers. Last season alone he was targeted just 53 times in 14 games. By contrast, Burton was targeted 76 times in 2018 and he's not nearly the size or athlete Howard is.
Nagy's offense has begged for a real threat at tight end for years. Graham is nothing more than a bandaid at best for this problem. They need a long-term solution. Howard would feel right at home in this system. Especially with a quarterback in Nick Foles who absolutely loves to work the middle of the field with tight ends. In his final five games with the Eagles in 2018, he threw to the tight ends a combined 54 times.
The more capable bodies the Bears have at that position, the better.
