The Chicago Bears are releasing tight end Trey Burton, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
According to The Athletic‘s Adam Jahns, the Bears plan to part ways with Burton after June 1, which means that it will save money against the salary cap. But Burton will cost the Bears $7.5 million in dead money and free up just $1.05 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.
In 2018, Chicago signed Burton to a four-year, $32 million contract, which included $22 million guaranteed. While Burton had a career-season with the Bears in 2018 — 54 catches for 569 receiving yards and six touchdowns — it was ultimately his lack of availability that was his downfall.
After alerting the team that he had a groin injury the night before Chicago’s wild card playoff game against the Eagles, Burton never recovered. In 2019, he only played in 8 games, tallying 14 catches for 84 yards, before landing on injured reserve.
The Bears had the worst group of tight ends in the NFL last season, and it’s no wonder why the position has been an area of focus for general manager Ryan Pace.
Chicago signed former Packers tight end Jimmy Graham to a two-year deal last month, and that raised a question about Burton’s future with the Bears.
The Bears now have nine tight ends under contract, and it wouldn’t be a surprise for Pace to add another in the NFL Draft next week.
