Jimmy Graham Doesn't Sound Happy To Be In Chicago

As a professional, Jimmy Graham will always work his butt off to play well for whoever pays him. However, it's fair to wonder whether his heart is truly in the game anymore. The 35-year old has been a non-factor through the first two games of 2021. While that isn't entirely on him, there is a growing sense that Graham isn't quite into it like he's been in the past. His ugly missed block that cost the Chicago Bears a touchdown against Cincinnati was one example. In fact, there is some new evidence that Graham might still have regrets about the direction his career has gone since back in 2015. That was when the New Orleans Saints decided to trade him to the Seattle Seahawks. Accord to Mike Triplett of ESPN, the former All-Pro thinks the trade was a mistake then and still does now. Graham wishes he had never left New Orleans.

Graham can’t help but wonder “what could’ve been and what should’ve been” if he had stayed with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints for more than five years. Instead, he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2015. “I don’t think anybody really benefitted from the trade,” said Graham, who is now with the Chicago Bears, his fourth NFL team, in his 12th season. “You got a guy like Gronk who’s been with his quarterback his entire career in the same offense, the same scheme. So for me it’s always one of those things where thinking about what could’ve been or what should’ve been with Drew is kind of the most disappointing. “Maybe some of (the Saints’ playoff losses from 2017-2020) go the other way.”

While the tight end is still a competitor, does he serve a purpose anymore?

Don't forget he contemplated retirement this offseason after the playoff loss to the Saints back in January. In the end, he decided to give it one more year. Two weeks into the season, he might be regretting that choice. Bears head coach Matt Nagy admitted he hasn't done a good enough job getting the tight ends more involved thus far. Yet even if that changes, it's a fair assumption Cole Kmet will get most of the looks. With limited targets and zero value as a blocker, the question must be asked. What is the point of the Bears keeping Graham on the roster? They could've released him for $7 million in cap space. Instead, they chose to not only keep him but even restructured his contract to push his cap hit into 2022. Right now it seems like they compounded one bad decision with another. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3.-What-exactly-are-the-Bears-paying-Jimmy-Graham-for-It-certainly-isnt-blocking.mp4"][/video]

Jimmy Graham even caught some criticism from his new QB

It was said in good fun at the time, but there was a hint of criticism in it. During practice, Graham was matched up on a linebacker but Justin Fields didn't throw him the football. The veteran complained about it to the coaches afterward. After practice, Fields went up to him and said a simple phrase that was both funny and also true. "You gotta get open." This is an underlying issue with Graham. While his size is still a major asset as a pass-catcher, his ability to create separation has reduced more and more over the past few seasons. His speed just isn't there anymore, allowing defenders to cover him with greater ease. A total of 18 of his 74 targets last season were contested, and three of them led to interceptions.

Is he still an asset to this team or has he become a liability?

Luckily it is still early in the season There is time for him to bring back some of that old magic. That said, it is hard not to feel like his competitive fire might not be burning quite as hot as it was even last year. The retirement contemplation followed by the details from that article paints the picture of a player who might've overstayed his welcome.