Bears Agree to Sign TE Durham Smythe
The Chicago Bears have agreed to sign tight end Durham Smythe to a one-year deal, a source confirmed Thursday. Like Bears starter Cole Kmet, Smythe is a Notre Dame alum. He was picked in Round 4 of the 2018 NFL draft by the Dolphins, where he played under future Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who was the wide receivers coach.
Smythe has played in 112 career games, all with Miami, and started 74 times. He’s considered an able blocker but not a prolific pass catcher, totaling just nine catches for 53 yards over 17 games last year. He had a career-high 35 catches for 366 yards the year before.
Smythe was eligible to be signed before the start of free agency because the Dolphins cut him in the middle of February. The Bears are in search of tight end depth this offseason after releasing backup Gerald Everett last month following a disappointing season. Once Marcedes Lewis hits free agency next week, Kmet would have been left as the only tight end on the team’s roster. Signing Smythe, who turns 30 in August, won’t stop the Bears from pursuing more players at the position, either in free agency or the draft.
Background
The league year begins March 12.
Notable Signing
Thuney, 32, has made the Pro Bowl each of the last three seasons and played tackle for the Chiefs in the playoffs last season.
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Q&A
Q: What is the significance of the Bears signing Durham Smythe?
A: The signing provides the Bears with tight end depth, as they look to bolster their roster ahead of the 2025 season.
Q: How does Smythe’s signing impact the team’s plans for free agency and the draft?
A: The signing won’t stop the Bears from pursuing more players at the position, either in free agency or the draft.
Q: What is the current state of the Bears’ tight end corps?
A: The Bears have Cole Kmet as their starting tight end, and may look to add more depth behind him.
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