Ryan Griffin has caught on with the Bears on a one-year deal. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Bears sign TE Ryan Griffin to one-year contract

The Chicago Bears have landed a tight end that has 14 touchdowns and over 200 receptions and 2,000 receiving yards on his resumé.

Griffin will look to give incoming second-year signal-caller Justin Fields another pass-catching option, as the Bears tight end unit combined for just four touchdown receptions in 2021. Chicago tight end Cole Kmet was second on the team in targets (93), receptions (60) and receiving yards (612) last year, but failed to find the end zone.

Veteran Jimmy Graham had 14 catches for 167 yards and three scores, while Jesse James had just seven receptions for 62 yards and one touchdown. 

Griffin recorded 27 receptions for 261 yards and two touchdowns with the New York Jets in 2021 on an offense whose most productive receivers were Jamison Crowder (team-high 51 receptions) and Elijah Moore (team-high 538 receiving yards).

Prior to joining New York ahead of the 2019 campaign, Griffin spent the first six years of his career with the Houston Texans. In 2016, he set career highs in targets (74), receptions (50) and receiving yards (442), while scoring a pair of touchdowns.

During his first year with "Gang Green," Griffin racked up a career-best five receiving touchdowns.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Veteran WR announces retirement from NFL
Mavericks come from behind to down Thunder, take 2-1 series lead
Stars continue road dominance with Game 3 win over Avalanche
Watch: Paul Skenes wastes no time showing why Pirates drafted him No. 1 overall
Watch: Braves were one out away from first no-hitter in 30 years
Roman Wilson hopes to become Steelers' next 'great' WR
Chargers sign veteran edge-rusher
Justin Allgaier dominates at Darlington for first win of 2024
'Great mind': One-time NBA champion endorses candidate for Lakers HC job
Celtics respond with impressive road win vs. Cavaliers in Game 3
Hurricanes' power play finally comes through with season on the line
Watch: An outstanding first half by Donovan Mitchell keeps the Cavaliers alive in Game 3 vs. Celtics
Tigers lose veteran starting pitcher to injury
Watch: Minor league baseball game interrupted by turtle delay
Paul Skenes experiences the Pirates' incompetence in just one game
Rangers ace continues to be plagued by nerve irritation in thumb
Cowboys hint at timeline for extension talks with offensive star
Steelers first-round pick has already 'apologized' to new locker mate
Former Packers WR makes bold prediction about Jordan Love
Broncos release former Super Bowl champion WR