The Chicago Bears are set at almost every position going into 2019. GM Ryan Pace has done a tremendous job building a roster that has both star power and depth. The defense is loaded while the offense has improved at running back, wide receiver, and the offensive line in various ways. If there was one position that is left in a bit of flux at the moment, it would be the tight ends. Trey Burton remains the starter and is finally healthy after a groin injury last season.
Where it gets confusing is the spots behind him. Most would assume that former 2nd round pick Adam Shaheen is the obvious choice for being the #2 guy. Some hold out hope he'll finally emerge to realize his significant potential. However, he's making that difficult to accept since he once again is not on the field. This time the third-year man is dealing with a back problem. This after missing several games last season with ankle and foot issues.
His absence has allowed others to get critical reps in training camp. Longtime Bears insider Hub Arkush believes one of them has consistently stood out. That being Ben Braunecker. The former Harvard graduate isn't wasting his opportunity.
It may just be that Braunecker — who has spent most of his first three seasons with the team in the background — is the Bears' best option as their starting tight end.
In fact, he has flashed several times in the passing game over the past few days and told me Tuesday that he thinks the reps he’s getting with the “ones” in Shaheen’s absence have been invaluable.
Chicago Bears certainly began to explore Braunecker more last season
It may sound like one of those eye-rolling moments one hears every year at this time. Is it though? There is some evidence to suggest that the Bears are a bit more intrigued by Braunecker than they were in the past. From the beginning of 2017 through September of 2018, the tight end did not see a single pass thrown his way. In fact, he only played 24 snaps total during that stretch. Then things suddenly shifted by October.
Braunecker began seeing the field more often. This included a four-game stretch where he saw at least 11 snaps each week. During that time he made two catches including a 20-yarder. Things really came to a head in the playoffs when he posted a season-high 21 snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles. He made two catches in that game for 15 yards. It's never been a question that Braunecker lacks pass-catching skill. He just didn't get many opportunities.
This kind of story is not unprecedented. There have been cases of tight ends being late bloomers before. Brent Jones was a 5th round pick who was cut by Pittsburgh and spent three years on the bench in San Francisco, making just 10 catches. Then he broke out in 1989 and went on to become a four-time Pro Bowler. Jay Novacek, an eventual five-time Pro Bowler, caught just two passes in his first two seasons.
It's not crazy to think Braunecker can play. He may have just needed the right circumstances.
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