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Coach Brian Flores hasn’t pledged Jakeem Grant to be his best returner to move forward after Grant missed and lost a fumble in Miami’s Week 4 loss to the Colts. Grant’s faltering performance proved to be his last game as a Dolphin, as he was traded to the Bears on Tuesday in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in the 2023 draft.
Grant heads to Chicago after spending his first five plus seasons in Miami. In addition to contributing as a catcher, Grant flourished as a returner during his time with the Dolphins. His comeback prowess earned him second-team All-Pro honors in his final season in Miami. Grant will be looking to have a similar impact for a Bears team that could use help on both receiver and special teams.
Let’s take a look at the ratings both teams received after Tuesday’s trade.
Bear: A-
It was a low risk operation for Chicago. In exchange for a future end-of-round pick, the Bears acquire a player who caught 36 passes last season averaging 11.4 yards per punt return. Grant’s presence should not only help a special teams unit that needed stability on the comeback, but it should also help a Bears passing attack that is currently the last in the NFL in yards gained. Grant will be looking to supplement receivers Darnell Mooney and Allen Robinson, who have combined to catch nearly half of Chicago’s completed assists in four weeks.
The acquisition also gives the Bears more wide receiver options, as newcomers Damiere Byrd and Marquise Goodwin have had slow starts in Chicago. Grant will have to prove he can handle football after being credited with 12 fumbles during his career with the Dolphins.
Dolphins: B-
Even before Grant’s struggles on Sunday, it was clear he was no longer in the Dolphins’ plans. He had only had one catch in the previous three weeks and had just eight punt returns in four weeks. The Dolphins have viable options to replace Grant as rookie Jaylen Waddle and defensive back Noah Igbinoghene return.
However, Grant’s departure leaves the Dolphins with a lack of receiving depth behind starters Waddle and DeVante Parker. Allen Hurns (wrist) and Lynn Bowden (hamstrings) are currently on injury sidelines, and the Patriots have claimed Malcolm Perry on waivers after he failed to make the original 53-man roster from Miami.
While it looks like the Bears were the winners in this trade, both teams ultimately got what they wanted. Chicago plugged holes in the returner and receiver, while the Dolphins received market value for a player they had apparently abandoned. How Grant plays in Chicago will ultimately determine which team came out on top.
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