The Bears are expected to release veteran tight end Dion Sims before the start of the new league year in a move to free up salary cap space, NFL Network reported.
It comes as little surprise. Sims, a blocking tight end who never found his footing as a pass catcher, was due to make $6 million in 2019.
The Bears signed Sims to a three-year, $18 million deal two years ago with hopes of turning him from a solid blocker to a dual threat. But he caught 15 passes for 180 yards in 14 games. He missed two games following the bye week with a mystery illness; both Bears and Sims refused to give details about the malady, other than saying it weakened him.
He caught two passes and played in eight games this year before suffering a concussion Nov. 4 and eventually heading to injured reserve. It was his second in two years with the Bears.
Cutting Sims should double the Bears’ projected available cap space, moving it from $6 million to $12 million.
The team has its top two tight ends, Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen, set to return. Neither is a particularly accomplished blocker, so the Bears could turn to free agency to find someone who is.
