Packers: Jimmy Graham signing two-year deal with Bears

Jimmy Graham is signing with the Chicago Bears.

Following two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Jimmy Graham will now be attempting to beat them twice a year.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Graham has signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Bears worth $16 million with $9 million guaranteed.

Graham fell well short of expectations in Green Bay, leading to general manager Brian Gutekunst releasing him with one year left on his contract. The Bears, with a need at tight end, have decided to give him another opportunity in the NFC North.

This is a somewhat surprising decision by the Bears when considering the money involved. Graham did little over the past two seasons to show he’s still the same dominant receiving tight end he used to be.

Graham’s two-year stay in Green Bay resulted in a total of 1,083 yards and five touchdowns. Prior to signing with the Packers, Graham had only failed to catch five touchdown passes in a single season on one occasion, and that was in 2015 when he missed five games due to injury.

He caught two touchdowns in 2018, his first year with the Packers, and only three in 2019, LaFleur’s first season as head coach.

Graham played in two different offensive systems in Green Bay — under Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur — but with similar results. If he struggled to play at a high level with Aaron Rodgers, one has to imagine how things will go in Matt Nagy’s offense next season.

What remains to be seen is who Graham’s starting quarterback will be in 2020. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweeted that he’s “not expecting” the Bears to sign former Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

It’s been an interesting day in the NFC North. Graham becomes the latest player to play for both teams in the NFL’s oldest rivalry. After playing 32 games for the Packers, he’ll now be facing them twice a season.