The Chicago Bears signed their tight-end of the future, Dion Sims, to a three-year, $18 million contract with $10 million guaranteed. The contract itself is somewhat hefty, but the player the Bears are getting in return comes highly regarded.
Reports out of Miami are indicating head coach Adam Gase and the rest of the organization really wanted to keep Sims, but he simply priced himself out of their range. This doesn’t necessarily mean the Bears overpaid, it means the Dolphins just weren’t in a position to bring him back.
Gase viewed Sims as the primary starter for the future.
Sims himself confirmed this assertion from his former head coach. “He told me he wants me back a number one. I have obviously proven myself as a starting tight end in the league and want to continue in that role,” said the tight end back in February.
Gase and the Dolphins weren’t the only ones who took notes on Sims. Kevin Nogle, writer for the Phininsider, a blog that closely covers the Dolphins, had this to say about him.
“Dion Sims was one of my personal favorite players because he literally lays it out on the line wherever he is on the field.”
As early as one week ago, the Sun Sentinel was reporting that re-signing Sims was a “top priority” for the Dolphins. This proves he was, in-deed, a priority for Miami.
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“Dion did exactly what we needed him to do, but I held him back a little bit and didn’t let him do some of the things he could have done more of,” Gase said of Sims, whom the Dolphins selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. “We have an idea of what we want to do. … There is a good plan in place.”
That plan ended up becoming the future of the Chicago Bears.
With 74 receptions, eight touchdowns and an average of 9.4 yards per reception in four seasons it’s clear Sims still has a lot to prove. His athleticism as a blocker and pass catcher is said to be his biggest strength standing at 6’4″ and weighing just over 270lbs.
Bears fans hope Sims can bring some youth and stability to the tight-end position. Previous starter Zach Miller is 32 years-old and hasn’t played a full 16-game season since … well ever. Fourteen is his max throughout his five-year career.
Sims was a fourth-round pick out of Michigan State in the 2013 NFL draft. His pro comparison at the time was Scott Chandler and his notable attributes were open-field speed and blocking. He fell in the draft because he only played in two games his senior year, but he was on everyone’s radar after a stellar junior season.
“I thought he was one of the best in-line, blocking tight ends in this draft, along with Travis Kelce. It’s a copy-cat league, and (Rob) Gronkowski just blew the whole thing up.” — Mike Mayock (’13)
He should be a nice addition to Chicago’s offense… stealing one from Adam Gase has to feel good too. Go Bears.
