The Chicago Bears have made it clear they want to implement the Shanahan-style outside-zone offense under Luke Getsy. That system was made famous by Mike Shanahan, his son Kyle, and others like Sean McVay and Matt Lafleur. Like any system, it needs certain types of personnel to be at its most effective. Perhaps one of the more overlooked positions is tight end. No group may undergo a greater transition in terms of style than that one.
When most people think about tight ends, they see somebody like Cole Kmet. Big, strong, and athletic enough to be a mismatch against linebackers and safeties. That isn’t the case in the Shanahan offense. Its tight ends put less emphasis on size and more on speed and pass-catching ability. Two shining examples of this are Shannon Sharpe and Owen Daniels. Sharpe was 6’2, and Daniels was 6’3. Relatively small for tight ends. Yet both were perfect fits for this offensive style because they could run and catch.
Now it seems the Bears might be targeting their own version.
UMD TE Chigoziem Okonkwo is visiting the Bears pic.twitter.com/PzBo5eivDJ
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 6, 2022
Chigoziem Okonkwo just turned around and caught this ball with one hand. I triple checked. Super casually too. pic.twitter.com/0ANXD1pEHJ
— Matt Alkire (@mattalkire) February 1, 2022
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Chigoziem Okonkwo having a day with a TE position best 4.52 40 time
Chigo is a little undersized but dense. A super athletic player who can stretch the field vertically but can be used a lot around the LOS and even on end arounds
Jonnu Smith type vibes
pic.twitter.com/zFc7AYVUvm— Joe O’Leary (@TheHQNerd) March 3, 2022
Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE 9) should be a name to keep in mind, especially this week at the combine
Very evident twitch, speed and natural YAC ability pic.twitter.com/Gu1R9MdS4P
— Draft Guy Jared (@DraftGuyJared) February 28, 2022
Chigoziem Okonkwo fit the same profile. He’s is only 6’2 in size but boasts 4.52 speed and strong hands for catching passes. He stood out often at Maryland due to his ability to run after the catch. His 2021 season ended with 447 yards and five touchdowns. It included impressive showings against Michigan State (112 yards, 2 TDs) and Penn State (85 yards). Expectations are he’ll go somewhere on Day 3 of the draft, likely between the 5th and 7th rounds. Okonkwo is not a fit for every team, but he’d be perfect for what the Chicago Bears want to do.
Don’t expect him to become a standout blocker. It isn’t his strength. His goal will be to improve his route running so he can become a legitimate weapon in the passing game. The Bears are already trending in that direction by retaining Jesper Horsted and signing veteran Ryan Griffin. Okonkwo could become a great developmental piece that blossoms into a viable weapon for Justin Fields.
