Bears Reportedly Have "Strong Interest" In Rapidly Rising Tight End

Stop if you've heard this before. The Chicago Bears really need help at tight end. Like really, really bad. When nobody at the position manages to eclipse 100 yards receiving for an entire season? That's how a team knows they've got problems. Both Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen ended up on Injured Reserve, putting their futures with the team in question. Ben Braunecker is a special teams guy. Jesper Horsted and J.P. Holtz did some nice things but are still unproven.

So it was hardly a shock when reports surfaced the Bears were busy meeting with tight ends at the Senior Bowl. Purdue's Brycen Hopkins and Vanderbilt's Jared Pinkney were the first to get attention. However, it seems the team is even more intrigued by one of the surprise stars of early practices down in Mobile. His name is Adam Trautman, a 6'6 kid from Dayton who is shining in drills thus far. Apparently the Bears have made it know crystal clear they're watching him according to Chase Goodbread of NFL.com.

Dayton head coach Rick Chamberlin has been in town this week to support the Flyers team captain, who set career bests in 2019 in receptions (70), yards (916) and touchdowns (14). Trautman said the Chicago Bears have shown strong early interest.

"They're interested in me," said Trautman. "They tell me they like what they see."

It's no shock the Chicago Bears like Trautman

Just 24 hours ago, I wrote about how Trautman seemed like such a Bears guy. Despite coming from humble beginnings, he dominated his competition at Dayton with over 1,400 yards and 23 touchdowns his final two years. This is a guy who embraces the entire scope of his position. While he loves running routes and catching passes, he's made it clear he has a particular fondness for blocking. Not a surprise since George Kittle is his favorite player.

One thing about GM Ryan Pace is he loves players with immense physical upside. It's what made him fall in love with Shaheen three years ago when he too emerged out of Ashland during the pre-draft process. One would think that experience might scare the Bears off from Trautman given the several similarities. That doesn't seem to be the case. The interest is seemingly extensive. If the tight end can deliver a strong performance in the game this weekend, then he could have their full attention when they go on the clock in April.