NFL Free Agency: Bears Add TE Matt Spaeth, Talking About Trading Greg Olsen?
Published by Jake Perper on July 28, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears have made an interesting move today. They signed former Steelers TE Matt Spaeth to a contract.
Tight end wasn’t considered an area of need for the Bears with Greg Olsen, Brandon Manumaleuna and Kellen Davis all signed on for the season.
Spaeth, a third-round pick from the 2007 NFL draft has appeared in 60 games, reeling in 36 receptions for 275 yards and five touchdowns since 2007. Spaeth, 6’7″ is considered a very good blocker in the passing and running game.
Is this the end of Greg Olsen?
Olsen, who will be a free agent after the season, has always been considered a hybrid tight end. He is an above average tight end, who catches a lot of passes when used correctly.
He was very dangerous in the playoffs, but offensive coordinator Mike Martz typically uses his tight ends as blocking tight ends more than receivers.
Since coming to the Bears in 2007 as a first-round pick, Olsen has appeared in 62 games, reeling in 194 passes for 1,981 yards and 20 touchdowns. In two postseason games last year, Olsen caught six passes for 143 yards and one touchdown.
Trading Olsen wouldn’t make sense unless the Bears received a legitimate wide receiver in return.
If Olsen departs, the Bears would be left with Spaeth, Manumaleuna and Davis as the tight ends on the roster. Those three tight ends combined for 15 receptions for 142 yards and three touchdowns last season.
If I were the Bears, I would think about moving Brandon Manualeuna’s contract, either through a trade (if someone actually wanted his big contract) or by releasing him.
It will be interesting to see what the Bears will do with Olsen. Fans don’t want to see him go, and he doesn’t seem like he wants to go.
Olsen had this to say about the Bears:
“Not happy at all [with the] trade talk” because he “wants to play his entire career in Chicago,” Olsen said.
Keep reading Bearsbacker.com for more info on each Bears signing.
All quotes from NBCChicago.com
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