Bears Sign Former Chiefs TE Steve Maneri

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears have signed former Kansas City Chiefs OT/TE Steve Maneri.

From the Chicago Tribune:

"Steve Maneri, a blocking tight end, has agreed to terms on a two-year contract. The Tribune reported earlier this week the Bears were pursuing Maneri, who also drew interest from the Houston Texans. He is expected to replace Matt Spaeth in the offense.A converted offensive tackle, Maneri was not tendered as an exclusive rights free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs after he appeared in 13 games and made eight starts in 2012. Maneri, 6-6, 280 pounds, was an undrafted free agent in 2010 from Temple when he signed with the Texans. He also spent time with the New England Patriots and made it to the Chiefs in 2011. In Kansas City, he was converted to tight end last offseason and excelled in a role as a blocker, what the Bears had Spaeth on the roster to do. Maneri, 25, made five receptions for 51 yards last season. He has appeared in 19 games and has nine career starts."

We haven’t talked much about Maneri this offseason but the Chiefs may have let one get away here. Despite being converted from tackle to tight end, Maneri actually graded pretty well last year according to Pro Football Focus. He was slightly above average in both run blocking and pass blocking, finishing the season with a +4.2 overall grade. He played 412 snaps. In fact, Maneri played every offensive snap against the Colts in Week 16 last year and that was the game the Chiefs ran all over Indy.

Alas, Maneri is a Bear now.

That leaves the Chiefs with Tony Moeaki and the newly signed Anthony Fasano.

Moeaki struggled in his first season back from knee surgery. He started off very slow but did string together some strong performances down the stretch. He caught 33 passes for 453 yards and one TD in 2012. He also dropped four passes. He finished the year with a -4.0 grade.

Fasano finished the year with a +4.2 grade in Miami, which is the same mark Maneri received. He caught 41 passes for 332 yards. Fasano was also a big threat in the red zone, hauling in five TDs.