After some quiet weeks that followed the Super Bowl, the NFL news cycle is back in full swing with a flurry of moves happening around the league as free agency draws nearer. This week, Tua Tagovailoa found out that a longtime teammate is leaving the Miami Dolphins to join forces with Caleb Williams on the Chicago Bears.
On Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that former Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe is signing a one-year deal with the Bears, where he’ll reunite with none other than Ben Johnson.
Johnson, hired by Chicago to be its head coach for the 2025 NFL season, was still in Miami as the Dolphins’ wide receivers coach when the franchise selected Smythe in 2018. Johnson left for the Detroit Lions a year later, but the Notre Dame product went on to spend seven years in South Florida.
Tagovailoa was in five of Smythe’s seasons with the Dolphins, as the quarterback was drafted by Miami in 2020. And even though the tight end wasn’t one of his primary pass catchers, Smythe did help Tua as a blocking specialist.
After recording 112 appearances with 74 starts in Miami, Smythe had to look for a new home this offseason as the Dolphins cut him in February. Now, he’ll be looking to prove his worth in Williams’ offense.
After many years in Miami, Smythe reunites with familiar faces in Chicago
Smythe lands in the Windy City to fill in the vacancy left by Gerald Everett, who was released by the Bears following an underwhelming performance in the 2024 NFL season. With Smythe, Chicago gets an experienced player to fill the TE2 spot.
Apart from Johnson, the former Dolphins tight end will also reunite with Cole Kmet, who joined Notre Dame during Smythe’s last season in college football. The Bears’ TE room could see more changes though, with Marcedes Lewis about to enter the open market.
Bears determined to help Williams
The Bears are expected to stay busy this offseason, aiming to help Williams as the quarterback struggled in his rookie year. On Wednesday, NFL media reported that Chicago will get veteran guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs in a blockbuster trade. That would give a huge upgrade to their o-line, in a key move to protect Williams.