The Chicago Bears brought back a key veteran in the secondary with the signing of cornerback Artie Burns to a one-year deal.
Burns joined the Bears last offseason, inking a one-year deal to compete for the starting cornerback spot opposite Kyle Fuller. Burns was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In four years with Pittsburgh, Burns appeared in 58 games, including 32 starts, where he recorded 149 tackles, four interceptions and 27 pass breakups.
With Fuller’s release earlier this month, as well as Buster Skrine being cut, cornerback depth has been a concern. Burns brings some veteran leadership to a relatively young cornerbacks room, which features Jaylon Johnson, Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley.
Back in the fold for 2021.
🐻⬇️, Artie Burns! pic.twitter.com/k2nGa6kRoX
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 26, 2021
Burns was on track to earn the starting cornerback spot opposite Fuller last training camp before suffering a torn ACL. The hope is that he can rebound in 2021, which won’t be easy coming back from that injury.
Last week, Chicago signed veteran cornerback Desmond Trufant to presumably occupy the vacancy at cornerback opposite Johnson. Burns bring much needed depth and potentially competition to the cornerback spot.
