The Chicago Bears are understandably upset with what they’ve gotten out of their tight end position this past year. Adam Shaheen, a former 2nd round pick, had less than 100 yards and ended the year on IR. Trey Burton, their pricey 2018 free agent, had less than 100 yards and ended the year on IR. It got to a point where the team was leaning on guys like Jesper Horsted and J.P. Holtz to get any production on offense.
Not a great situation to be in.
So it’s little surprise the team is being active in their search for help at tight end. This doesn’t just mean preparing their scouts for free agency in March and the draft in April. They got a head start on Monday by adding young Darion Clark on a futures contract for this summer. Name not ringing any bells? Well it shouldn’t. Nobody in football circles will have heard him.
Clark spent four years playing college basketball, two of them for the program at USC. During that time he averaged 4.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. At 6’7, 220 lbs he absolutely has the look of a guy who can play tight end in the NFL.
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Chicago Bears are trying everything at this point
This move demonstrates just how deep the Bears are trying to dig for solutions. Clark didn’t play a single snap of football in college. He’s coming in completely raw to his designated position. He’s a pure project that the team sees having possible upside. It is hardly the first time NFL teams have probed the collegiate basketball ranks for possible hidden gems. The most famous was San Diego Chargers legend Antonio Gates.
Jimmy Graham played basketball at Miami before shifting to football for his final year there. Darren Fells actually played his entire college career and then went overseas for five years before giving the NFL a shot. Last but certainly not least was Julius Thomas, who set multiple school records on the hardcourt before shifting to football his senior year. He went on to the Pro Bowl twice in his career.
The Bears likely don’t expect something that outlandish from Clark but they’re willing to give him an opportunity to show he can follow a similar path.
