Bears targeting tight end Durham Smythe in free agency

The Chicago Bears are already making moves to bolster their roster, including a pair of trades for offensive linemen Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. With free agency less than a week away, there are more positions for Chicago to target, including skill position players.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bears are targeting free-agent tight end Durham Smythe, who was released by the Miami Dolphins last month. Smythe spent the last seven years with the Dolphins, where he played under new Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who was Miami’s wide receivers coach, in 2018.

Last season, Smythe appeared in 17 games, with four starts, and totaled just nine catches for 53 yards. His best season came in 2023, where he nabbed 35 receptions for 366 yards in 16 games with 14 starts.

The Bears already have their starting tight end in Cole Kmet, who’s coming off a down year but has proven to be an impactful player in the passing game. But they’ve struggled to find a true complement for him, including most recently Gerald Everett, who was released last month.

The Chicago Bears are reportedly targeting tight end Durham Smythe in the upcoming free agency period. Smythe, 29, spent the past seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins, where he played under current Bears head coach Ben Johnson in 2018.

In 2024, Smythe appeared in all 17 games for the Dolphins, recording nine receptions for 53 yards. His release earlier this offseason allows him to sign with any team immediately, without affecting the Bears’ compensatory draft picks.

The Bears’ interest in Smythe aligns with their efforts to strengthen their tight end position. Smythe’s experience and familiarity with Johnson’s system could make him a valuable addition to Chicago’s offense.