LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears tight end Adam Shaheen is trending in the right direction after Sunday's four catch, one touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions, but the rookie's failure to participate in the game's final drive raised eyebrows.
Why is such a big target on the sidelines in crunch time?
Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains explained on Wednesday that while the coaching staff is pleased with Shaheen's progress, the second round pick isn't ready yet to handle the entire offense.
"It just goes down to all the variables that come with it," Loggains said. "Going into [the Detroit game] without Dion [Sims], we wanted to give Adam a big enough role where he was going to feel confident in it. To me tight end is the second hardest position to play outside of quarterback because you're involved in pass protection and you're involved in the passing game and the run game. So he has a lot to learn coming from a small school. He did a really good job on first and second down for us."
Similar to how veteran running back Benny Cunningham replaces rookie Tarik Cohen in certain situations, the Bears chose to use fourth-year tight end Daniel Brown on third-down and in the two-minute offense.
"It was mainly so Adam could focus in on his role," Loggains said. "And as he keeps growing that way, we'll keep expanding that package for him. But that was the reason why. Same with Tarik. Like, you want these young players on the field because they're really good players but they're just not quite there yet. We're going to keep expanding their role hopefully weekly. Each week is always a little bit different in how you're going to match up. But Adam has done a really good job. You guys have asked me in the past about his production. He's going to be a really good player. He is."
