Colston Loveland could make this Chicago Bears veteran a surprise roster cut

“Durham Smythe had a solid season for the Dolphins in 2023,” Knox writes for B/R. “Finishing with 35 catches and 366 yards. However, he took a back seat to Jonnu Smith last season and looked for a new opportunity with the Chicago Bears this offseason.

“Unfortunately for Smythe, the Bears already employ Cole Kmet and just used a top-10 pick on  Colston Loveland. Smythe now finds himself as TE3 on Chicago’s depth chart, at best, and the Bears could save $1 million by releasing him.”

Would releasing Durham Smythe make sense for the Chicago Bears?

Pairing quarterback Caleb Williams with Loveland has understandably drawn comparisons to head coach Ben Johnson’s impact on molding Sam LaPorta into a Pro Bowl tight end with the Detroit Lions.

Even though Loveland arrives having caught 177 passes for 1,466 yards with 11 touchdowns during his collegiate career at the University of Michigan, his blocking ability leaves much to be desired.

According to Pro Football Focus, Smythe posted a 53.8 pass protection grade, and a 52.3 run-blocking grade last season, so, pressure might be on for the 29-year-old to have a strong training camp and preseason.

However, even with those concerns about Loveland’s blocking ability, if the dynamic 6-foot-5 and 245-pound tight end explodes out of the chute with a strong training camp, Smythe’s days in Chicago could very well be numbered.

Given that Loveland and Cole Kmet appear entrenched at the top of the Bears’ depth chart, just how much Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles value keeping a third tight end juxtaposed against perhaps scooping one off the waiver wire or investing Smythe’s $1 million cap number elsewhere may determine if he can escape being summoned to the head coach’s office this August.