Enough Is Enough. Time To Play Jesper Horsted More

At some point, the Chicago Bears have to make an honest assessment of their tight end position. Whatever it is they're trying just isn't working. Cole Kmet still can't get on track as a pass-catcher while Jimmy Graham remains a total non-factor. His nine TD catches in 2020 seem like a distant memory. If those two aren't going to help open up the passing game more? Then perhaps it's time to open the door for others. Leading that line should be Jesper Horsted. The former undrafted free agent reappeared last month with his crazy three-touchdown performance against the Tennessee Titans. It was the first reminder in a long time that the kid is actually really good at catching the football. Something he flashed as a rookie back in 2019. For whatever reason, the Bears chose not to explore that more. Now he steps in for just two snaps on Sunday and catches another touchdown.

More than Kmet and Graham combined.

[video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Justin-Fields-First-Career-TD-Pass_1080p.mp4"][/video] We get it. Kmet is the high draft choice. Graham is the highly-paid former All-Pro. Here is the thing though. None of that stuff matters if those guys aren't producing. Kmet makes a catch or two per game but none of them are impactful. His lack of explosiveness remains an area of concern that won't go away. Graham used to have it but at 35-years old his legs just lack the juice now. Horsted has good speed for a tight end. No doubt coming from his background as a wide receiver. More important is his unbelievable hand-eye coordination. If you put the ball in his vicinity, he almost always finds a way to come down with it. That is something the Bears are missing from that position. It can't hurt to give this kid more opportunities.

Jesper Horsted should've gotten more work sooner

People forget he making some things happen two years ago. There was his terrific 18-yard TD grab against Detroit on Thanksgiving. Then the next week he had 36 yards on four catches. Unfortunately, a fumble at the end of a critical game against the Packers during a crazy lateral sequence may have cooled the coaches on the young tight end. His snaps drastically reduced over the next two games and the next season he didn't even make the main roster. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Mitchell-Trubisky-with-a-18-Yard-TD-Pass-to-Jesper-Horsted-😱.mp4"][/video] Instead, the Bears spent big on Kmet and Graham. Move that haven't yielded what many hoped. Now here Jesper Horsted is again, back on the field and making plays again. Matt Nagy can't afford to let his ridiculous hierarchy methods get in the way of progress. Undrafted or not, the guy has skills.

He also has a nice connection with Justin Fields.

No more messing around. If Kmet and Graham aren't going to be what the Bears need, then see if Horsted can take it from them. That is exactly what Darnell Mooney did to Anthony Miller. This is the same exact scenario. Draft status means nothing. It is about productivity. Horsted can produce with small opportunities. Maybe it's time to give him a bigger one.