Matt Eberflus has not approached the construction of his coaching staff with the idea of acquiring big names. Instead, it feels more like he’s targeting young up-and-comers. Coaching with strong backgrounds but also have lots of room still to grow. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy is one example. So is defensive backs coach James Rowe. However, nobody was prepared for the slight curveball of Jim Dray.
According to Albert Breer of the MMQB, the Bears hired him to become their new tight ends coach. Since 2019, Dray has served as an offensive quality control coach in Cleveland and Arizona. He is a former tight end himself, playing seven years in the NFL as a backup. Having attended Stanford, his intelligence is not in question. When it comes to experience though, he doesn’t have much. It will be interesting to hear how the Bears came across his name and felt he deserved this opportunity.
One thing is for sure. Players seem to like him.
The Bears have hired Cardinals assistant Jim Dray as their new tight ends coach, per sources. Dray played the position for eight years in the NFL.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 6, 2022
Great coach!
— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) February 6, 2022
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Jim Dray certainly has the background necessary It is far from abnormal for guys who played a certain position in football to end up coaching that position. Doug Pederson is one such example. He was a backup quarterback for years in the NFL before becoming a quarterbacks coach after retiring. That seemed to go well for him. Dray is no different. It is almost certain that he was going to end up coaching tight ends somewhere. Eberflus decided it would be in Chicago.
It seems the Bears head coach is big on giving out opportunities. He doesn’t fear lack of experience if he trusts the coach has the necessary character traits and teaching skills. Based on that comment from Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz, the team made a good call. Dray could end up being somebody that helps Cole Kmet further unlock his potential moving forward. Or perhaps GM Ryan Poles has another project in mind. This offseason should tell a lot about that.
