Bears News: Everett on deep tight end room, talented Allen and Odunze |
CHICAGO - Part of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's scheme is to have two tight ends, making the pickup of tight end Gerald Everett, who Waldron worked with back in 2021 with the Seattle Seahawks.
One of Everett’s best seasons was during his one year under Waldron, and he hopes to use his talent at a high level once again with the Chicago Bears. “I’m very optimistic in my capabilities in this offense as I’ve been in each other team I’ve played for, and obviously, following Shane here, I don’t see it being any different,” Everett said. “But, having a great teacher in him and (tight ends coach) Jim (Dray) and with Flus as the head coach. Obviously, I remain optimistic this year in Chicago and hope that I can be the best player for myself and for the organization.” Chicago has a unique tight-end group. Everett is going into his eighth season in the league, while Cole Kmet is going into his fifth season but has the most experience with the Bears of any player on the offense. Marcedes Lewis turned 40 back in May and will be going into his second season with the Bears. Between the three of them, there is a lot of knowledge and talent. Kmet and Everett will be playing the most, as Lewis is there primarily for veteran leadership. They both should see the ball a good deal this upcoming season. “Both vertically and laterally, Cole and I have two different skill sets. Obviously, him being much bigger than me, a traditional tight end, me being a move tight end,” Everett said. “We like to be on the field as much as we can together. But being interchangeable. We don’t see a limit for our group, let alone for Cole and I and obviously, (quarterback) Caleb (Williams) will use us to his best advantage.” Kmet and Everett have a lot of people to compete with to get the ball, including Everett’s teammate from the Los Angeles Chargers, Keenan Allen. The six-time Pro Bowler has been one of the most consistent receivers in the league since his rookie year in 2013. One thing Everett has always noticed about Allen is that while he is an elite talent, he also takes great pride in his blocking. “A lot of receivers, in my personal experience, don’t really put that much attention to detail (into blocking),” Everett said. “(He is a) future Hall of Famer, just being infectious in his room, being infectious to his team, and watching him come to work every day while we played with the Chargers the last two years. He definitely inspired me to just keep going, really just keep going and be my best self.” Allen has not been seeing many targets in the preseason thus far, but rookie receiver Rome Odunze has been seeing some action. In Chicago’s most recent game against the Cincinnati Bengals, his over-the-shoulder catch on the 45-yard reception that set up Williams’ seven-yard rushing touchdown is one of the highlights of the preseason thus far. .@Keenan13Allen's been turning heads in camp. 👀#HardKnocks with the @ChicagoBears available now on @StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/NHTt5FCDKm The Cincinnati game truly showed how much both Odunze and Williams have grown as NFL players since organized team activities (OTAs) back in May. “(Odunze’s) level of comfortability from day one of OTAs to now. I watched a couple of his games (when) I was in Seattle just across the bridge and not knowing that we’d be future teammates in Chicago,” Everett said. “But, watching both he and Caleb’s growth has been phenomenal really, just watching those two young rookies go head-to-head against a great defense and DBs in practice. So, I don’t think (those two have a limit). He brought that great deep ball in over the shoulder while the guy was draped all over him. I can’t wait to see week one.” It does not appear that the starters will play in Chicago’s final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thurs. Aug. 22 (7:20 p.m. / FOX 32 or NFL Network). So, fans may not get a chance to see Everett, Odunze, Williams, or the rest of the Chicago offense again until the season opener on Sun. Sept. 8 (Noon / FOX) against the Tennessee Titans.
