It seems that "ridiculous" contract the Chicago Bears gave Jimmy Graham last year is looking more and more like a bargain these days. Not only did the veteran tight end score nine touchdowns last season, more than any Bears tight end since Greg Olsen in 2009. It now appears fans may have to give him tons of credit for being the team's hype man to quarterback Russell Wilson.
According to Peter King of NBC Sports, it appears the seven-time Pro Bowl quarterback is fascinated with the idea of playing in Chicago. Not only is it a sports-crazy town which he likes, but it and the Bears have also gotten a bunch of love from the tight end. Somebody Wilson considers a good friend. The two played together for three seasons from 2015 to 2017.
No doubt a reunion is on Graham's mind.
"As for the Bears, I think there are three things at play: Chicago tight end Jimmy Graham is a good friend of Wilson’s, and he’s told him good things about the team and the city. Wilson loves the sporting zeal of the city, the love for the Cubs, the love for the Bears, and might look at it like, Chicago hasn’t had a lot of great quarterbacks, and I could be one. Maybe I could be the missing piece, and how crazy would Chicago go if the Bears ever got great again? And I think he loves the city."Graham and Wilson connected 170 times for 2,048 yards and 18 touchdowns in their three seasons together. The tight end was sent to Seattle in 2015 as part of a blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Saints. It's safe to say the two grew close during that time period. Wilson had his best overall season as a pro their first year together. So there is definite chemistry. No doubt the Bears would be expected to keep Graham in the event they somehow managed to make a trade happen. Expectations up to this point have been that he may be cut this offseason. Not due to production issues but more salary cap problems. Graham would give them a much-needed $7 million in breathing room. Wilson's arrival would force them to get creative. Something they no doubt wouldn't mind. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Russell-Wilson-Improvises-Hits-Jimmy-Graham-for-the-TD-Eagles-vs.-Seahawks-NFL.mp4"][/video]







