### Bears Bolster Tight End Position with Signing of Durham Smythe The Chicago Bears have made a significant move in the NFL free agency by signing veteran tight end Durham Smythe to a one-year deal. This decision comes as the Bears aim to enhance their tight end depth, which has been primarily led by Cole Kmet. Smythe, who was recently released by the Miami Dolphins, reunites with Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who previously coached him during his time in Miami. This signing is part of a broader strategy by the Bears to strengthen their roster ahead of the upcoming season, particularly as they prepare for the new league year starting March 12, 2025. ### Breakdown of the Bears' Tight End Strategy 1. **Signing of Durham Smythe**: - The Bears have officially signed Smythe, who brings experience and familiarity with the coaching staff, particularly with Ben Johnson, who was his receivers coach in Miami [https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/06/chicago-bears-nfl-free-agency-tracker-2025]. 2. **Smythe's Background**: - Smythe, a former fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, has spent his entire career with the Dolphins before being released in February 2025. He played in all 17 games in the 2024 season, recording nine receptions for 53 yards [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/bears_targeting_free_agent_te_durham_smythe/s1_17039_41860063]. 3. **Impact on Bears' Roster**: - The addition of Smythe is expected to provide depth and versatility to the Bears' tight end position, which has been a focus area for improvement. His experience will be valuable as the team looks to enhance its offensive capabilities [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/5-things-know-bears-tight-183217045.html]. 4. **Strategic Moves in Free Agency**: - The Bears have been active in free agency, also acquiring offensive guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney to bolster their offensive line. These moves indicate a comprehensive approach to improving the team's overall performance [https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/06/chicago-bears-nfl-free-agency-tracker-2025]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Durham Smythe's Career Stats**: - **Games Played**: 112 - **Starts**: 74 - **2024 Season Performance**: 9 receptions, 53 yards, 0 touchdowns [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/bears_to_sign_te_durham_smythe/s1_14819_41861080]. - **Bears' Recent Transactions**: - **Offensive Guards Acquired**: Jonah Jackson (trade with Rams), Joe Thuney (trade with Chiefs) [https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/03/06/bears-durham-smythe-tight-end-free-agency-ben-johnson-nfl]. ### Conclusion: A Strategic Move for the Bears In summary, the Chicago Bears' signing of Durham Smythe represents a strategic effort to enhance their tight end position and overall offensive capabilities. This move is part of a larger trend of proactive roster management as the team prepares for the upcoming season. 1. **Smythe's Experience**: His familiarity with Ben Johnson and the Bears' system is expected to facilitate a smoother integration into the team. 2. **Roster Enhancement**: The Bears are not only focusing on the tight end position but are also strengthening their offensive line, indicating a comprehensive approach to team improvement. 3. **Future Outlook**: As the Bears continue to make strategic signings, they are positioning themselves for a more competitive season in 2025 [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/updated-bears-tight-end-depth-210056457.html].