(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears agreed to terms on a deal with tight end Michael Gaines, 29, on Monday, according to the team website.
The 6'4," 277-pounder agreed to a one-year deal, adding yet another tight end to the roster. The Bears currently have four TEs (Desmond Clark, Greg Olsen, Kellen Davis, and Fontel Mines) to watch besides Gaines at training camp.
Gaines is a good blocker whose athletic versatility can allow him to line up at fullback, someone the Bears can use in crucial audible situations.
“It’s an unreal moment for me right now, just because of who the Bears are, what the organization is, and the winning tradition,” Gaines said. “It feels good in that aspect.”
And what the Bears are is exactly what attracted Gaines to the opportunity. Gaines comes directly from divisional foe Detroit Lions with tenures in Buffalo and Carolina.
Last year, Gaines had 23 receptions accounting for a career-high 260 yards with the Lions.
Gaines will fall behind mainstays Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen on the depth chart but should see some action. Many believe that Gaines is the best blocker of all five.
Gaines was released by the Lions shortly after the draft. With two rookie tight ends in Dan Gronkowski and highly-touted Brandon Pettigrew on the new-look Lions offense, there simply was no room (or need) for Gaines in Detroit.
“The Bears had a plan for me. You can’t beat that when people have a goal and a plan mapped out for you at your position," Gaines said.
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