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Reports: Bears sign TE Josh Hill to offer sheet

By Andrew C. Lovell

Nov 8, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill (89) scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill (89) scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Saints have five days to match the offer for the 25-year-old tight end, or risk losing him for no compensation.

Less than one week after shipping Pro Bowl tight end Martellus Bennett to the New England Patriots, the Chicago Bears have made a move to fill that void by signing restricted free agent Josh Hill to an offer sheet, according to multiple reports.

The New Orleans Saints have five days to match the offer. If they opt not to match, the Saints will lose Hill for no compensation because the team tendered him at the lowest level.

Hill, 25, appeared in all 16 games for New Orleans last, catching 16 passes for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He entered the season as the favorite to replace standout Jimmy Graham in New Orleans’ potent passing attack, but it was actually veteran Benjamin Watson that emerged as Drew Brees’ preferred option. Watson finished with career highs in receptions (74) and receiving yards (825), and parlayed that into a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens.

Hill, who was signed by New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2013, was actually more effective in 2014 while playing with Graham. Hill scored touchdowns on five of his 14 receptions as the second option behind Graham.

Chicago could be hoping for a similar dynamic with incumbent starter Zach Miller, who signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal last Monday. Miller emerged as a weapon for quarterback Jay Cutler last season, posting 34 catches for 439 yards and five touchdowns, all career bests. Chicago also re-signed veteran Rob Housler, but he has just 13 total receptions since 2014 and is viewed more as a blocking tight end.

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