The Smartest Move of the Bears Offseason Is a Slight Shocker

The 2017 Chicago Bears offseason has met with, shall we say, mixed reviews to date. Free agency involved quantity approach rather than quality. GM Ryan Pace continues to show he won't compromise the future in the name of immediate gains. Of course that meant missing out on a number of top free agents. To most media outlets, that was the kiss of death. Pace didn't find his aggressive streak until the draft. His signature move of course was dealing up one spot from #3 to #2 for quarterback Mitch Trubisky. A polarizing decision that remains the talk of the draft. This overshadows his other aggressive trade to get Alabama safety Eddie Jackson. Either way it's clear the Bears made a ton of acquisitions this year. So which can be considered the smartest of them all? There are plenty of candidates. Adding two experienced corners in Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper to a beleaguered secondary. Grabbing the underrated Jaye Howard late in free agency for the defensive line. Infusing the receiving corps with more speed courtesy of Markus Wheaton and Victor Cruz All solid options, but not the smartest of them all.

Adam Shaheen is savviest move of 2017 Chicago Bears offseason

According to Bleacher Report, who noted the 32 smartest moves of the NFL offseason, they felt securing tight end Adam Shaheen in the second round was the Bears' finest moment. His mixture of size and speed is just impossible to ignore. So impressive in fact that even coming from a small school isn't derailing the buzz that continues to grow around him.

"Smartest Move: Drafting Adam Shaheen

The Chicago Bears are rebuilding, and they'll be at it for a while. Starting the rebuilding process means collecting as many high-upside and uniquely skilled young pieces as possible. And tight end Adam Shaheen will likely emerge as an offensive pillar fast.

Shaheen doesn't move like someone who stands 6'6" tall and weighs nearly 280 pounds. The fluidity in his movement isn't normal or fair as he gallops in the open field. That led to 867 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 2016 for the former Ashland University stud. He can pile up yards after the catch while also functioning as a looming red-zone target."

An instant success?

Pace didn't shy away when asked about Shaheen. Most assumed him being a Division II product that he was basically a red shirt for this year. Pace did not agree. He stated quite clearly his belief the tight end could contribute sooner than later.

“I would disagree with that. I think Adam’s projected to play early,” Pace said. “I like his skill set. We spent a lot of time  on that. So just because he’s a small school player — yeah, it’s a big jump, but he has the physical skill set to make that jump and we’re confident in that. We’re excited about what he can add to our team right now.”

Safe to say the Bears think they got a good one. Early signs from minicamps and OTAs hint he is indeed a headache for defenders to handle. Critics have remained steadfast in their dislike of his blocking. That's fair. He wasn't very good at it in college. However, that's not the reason this team draft him. They love throwing to the tight ends in this offense. Shaheen has the perfect skill set for it.