Bears Coach Ben Johnson Targets Another Tight End in Draft

With three tight ends already on the roster, Chicago looks to add another pass-catching option.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:54am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football play with tight ends, using sharp planes of navy blue, orange, and white to capture the dynamic movement and strategic complexity of the Bears' offense.The Bears' tight end-centric offense takes shape through a cubist lens, hinting at the team's strategic vision.Chicago Today

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has a well-documented preference for tight ends, and the team appears poised to add another one in the upcoming NFL Draft. After selecting tight ends Sam LaPorta in 2023 and Colston Loveland in 2025, the Bears are now showing significant interest in Utah tight end Dallen Bentley, who is projected to be available in the 5th or 6th round. Bentley's skill set is similar to that of Bears tight end Cole Kmet, making him a versatile weapon in the passing game. The Bears' interest in Bentley comes after the team let go of third-string tight end Durham Smythe, suggesting they are looking to bolster the position further. With seven picks in the draft but only three on Day 3, GM Ryan Poles may look to maneuver and increase the number of selections, especially in the later rounds where Bentley is expected to be available.

Why it matters

The Bears' focus on tight ends under Ben Johnson's leadership is a strategic move to maximize the potential of the position and improve the team's offensive performance. With the team already among the NFL leaders in 12 personnel (two tight end) usage, adding a third talented tight end could allow them to experiment with rare 13 personnel (three tight end) packages, creating mismatches for opposing defenses.

The details

The Bears have already invested heavily in the tight end position, using a 2nd-round pick in 2023 on Sam LaPorta and a 1st-round pick in 2025 on Colston Loveland. Now, they are showing significant interest in Utah tight end Dallen Bentley, who is projected to be available in the 5th or 6th round of the upcoming draft. Bentley had a breakout season in 2022, recording 640 yards and six touchdowns, and his skill set is similar to that of Bears tight end Cole Kmet, making him a versatile weapon in the passing game. The Bears' decision to let go of Durham Smythe, who filled the third tight end slot last season, suggests they are actively looking to add another option at the position.

  • The Bears selected Sam LaPorta in the 2nd round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
  • The Bears selected Colston Loveland in the 1st round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
  • The Bears released tight end Durham Smythe prior to the 2026 season.

The players

Ben Johnson

The head coach of the Chicago Bears, known for his preference for tight ends.

Sam LaPorta

A tight end drafted by the Bears in the 2nd round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Colston Loveland

A tight end drafted by the Bears in the 1st round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Dallen Bentley

A tight end from the University of Utah who is projected to be available in the 5th or 6th round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Cole Kmet

The Bears' starting tight end, whose skill set is similar to that of Dallen Bentley.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to build a well-rounded offense that can create mismatches for opposing defenses. Tight ends are a crucial part of that strategy.”

— Ben Johnson, Head Coach, Chicago Bears

What’s next

The Bears will have to decide whether to use one of their Day 3 draft picks on Dallen Bentley or try to maneuver to acquire additional selections in the 5th and 6th rounds to increase their chances of landing the Utah tight end.

The takeaway

Ben Johnson's obsession with tight ends continues, as the Bears look to add another pass-catching option to their already impressive group. This move aligns with the team's strategy of maximizing the potential of the position and creating mismatches for opposing defenses.