The Chicago Bears May Have Found Their Robert Tonyan

Luke Getsy expressed optimism and intrigue when asked about what he might be able to do with Cole Kmet this season. The Chicago Bears tight end had a decent year in 2021, posting 612 yards receiving. It is hoped that a new, more cohesive system might make better use of his talents. Getsy seems up to the challenge. There is one lingering issue, though. When looking at the type of scheme Chicago wants to run, Kmet lacks one key trait in his game. Speed. Look around the league at other teams that run versions of the wide zone. All of them have something in common. A tight end that can run. George Kittle in San Francisco runs a 4.52 in the 40. Tyler Higbee in Los Angeles ran a 4.62. Robert Tonyan in Green Bay ran a 4.58. Getsy is most familiar with the latter. Kmet, for all his size and strength, ran a 4.70. While not glacial for a tight end, it still isn't explosive enough.

This is why concerns linger that he may not have a bright future beyond 2022.

Where things get interesting is the arrival of Rysen John. Most fans probably forgot he's even on the roster by now. The Bears claimed him off waivers from the New York Giants in May. He elected to switch positions as a former wide receiver out of Simon Frazier in Canada. While his 4.60 time was slow for a receiver, it was much better for a tight end. Despite limited opportunities in New York, there were flashes of what he could become given a chance.

This is where the comparison to Tonyan gets interesting. He, too, was a wide receiver in college at Indiana State. The Detroit Lions signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and moved him to tight end. Though cut later that year, he landed in Green Bay, where the Packers steadily developed him until an opportunity came up in 2020. He responded with 11 touchdowns.

The Chicago Bears likely see similar possibilities in John.

He is almost the same size as Tonyan with a similar athletic profile. He's already spent two years learning how to play tight end and should have a firm grasp on it by now. Better still, the competition at the position isn't strong. Kmet is the only lock to make the roster right now. Veterans Ryan Griffin and James O'Shaughnessy have reasonable chances but are hardly impossible hills to overcome. If John can put together a good training camp and preseason, the Bears will opt to give the 24-year-old a chance. Either he'll be the next Tonyan or the next Fendi Onobun. Either way, the Chicago Bears have some intriguing prospects to sort through before the end of August. The tight end battle won't be center stage, but it's far more critical than people realize.

Having a good one matters a lot in this offense.

Maybe Kmet will be that guy. If not, the name to watch is John. He has the athletic makeup for it. The only question left to answer is how much he wants it. That will be forthcoming in the next three months.