NEWSLETTER
Finally, some clarity regarding the pick coming to the Bears from the Dolphins in the trade that sent Adam Shaheen’s talents to South Beach.
The Bears issued a release officially confirming the deal which nets Chicago a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft that could become a sixth-round choice. What specifically needs to vest in order for the pick to get upgraded wasn’t specified, but the bare minimum is that the Bears added a late-round pick to their stockpile for 2021. Frankly, it’s better than getting nothing in return for a player who appeared to be on the outside looking in at a revamped tight ends room. Then again, it’s sad that we’re viewing a conditional late-round selection as a quality prize for a 2017 second-round pick who ultimately flopped in Chicago.
Shaheen caught 26 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns in 27 games over the course of three seasons in Chicago. The 2019 season was an injury shortened one for Shaheen, who finished the year on injured reserve because of a foot injury. In the offseason, the Bears added Jimmy Graham, Demetrius Harris, and Cole Kmet to the tight ends room. So if Shaheen was to win a spot in Chicago, he would have needed to beat out the likes of J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted, Eric Saubert, and Darion Clark.
As for the cuts, the team announced it is parting ways with linebacker Devante Bond, safety Kentrell Brice, and wide receiver Alex Wesley. Bond was released, while Brice and Wesley were placed on waivers. It’s a minor detail to note the designation, but one worth noting for clarity purposes. The trio of cuts were players the team brought onto the roster for depth purposes. Bond was a special teams player who appeared in three games after signing last December. Same for Wesley, who spent the entirety of his time on the practice squad. Brice signed in January and was positioned to serve as camp depth for the summer.
The Bears’ active roster is down to 85 after trading Shaheen, and letting go of Brice, Bond, Wesley, and Ben Braunecker. Teams are limited to 80-player training camp rosters this summer, which is 10 fewer than a normal year. Chicago still has five cuts to make, so we’ll keep an eye out to see what else transpires in the coming days.
