Heading into the 2020 offseason, the Chicago Bears were strapped with limited salary cap space. Which forced them to part ways with cornerback Prince Amukamara and receiver Taylor Gabriel this offseason.
Still, the Bears were able to make some moves in free agency, with the additions of pass rusher Robert Quinn and tight end Jimmy Graham. Chicago also traded for quarterback Nick Foles, which after a restructured contract hasn’t left the Bears in a hole.
Following a disappointing 2019 season marred by injury, the Bears parted ways with tight end Trey Burton. Not because of salary cap reasons — in fact, Burton will cost Chicago $5.75 million in dead money — rather his ineffectiveness at the tight end position.
When the Bears announced they were releasing Burton, they designated him as a post-June 1 cut, which means that they’ll gain roughly $2.8 million in cap space as of June 2.
Here’s what Over The Cap had to say about Burton’s designation:
The Bears dropped Trey Burton despite a $4 million salary guarantee on a $6.8 million salary but a glut of tight ends made him expendable. Burton had counted at $8.55 million but the team will only pick up $2.8 million in cap space since his dead money, even with the June 1, is $5.75 million. The Bears will have a $1.75 million cap charge next season for Burton but should receive a $910,000 credit if Burton makes the Colts this season. The Bears will now have around $11 million in cap room in 2020 which should be enough for them to function during the season.
Bears general manager Ryan Pace is banking on Graham and second-round rookie Cole Kmet to reignite Chicago’s tight end group in 2020. Considering the Bears’ offense was among the worst in the NFL last season, there’s nowhere to go but up. Especially after Bears tight ends combined for 36 receptions, 416 receiving yards and just 2 touchdowns.
