The Chicago Bears now only have seven tight ends on their roster as they have released tight end Trey Burton on Friday, per Adam Schefter.
In 2018 the Bears signed Burton to a four-year deal worth $32 million with $18 million guaranteed at signing and $22 million guaranteed overall. After the first year it looked somewhat promising after he posted 54 catches for 569 yards and 6 touchdowns. However, 2019 was an extremely disappointing year with only 14 catches for 84 yards and no touchdowns in 8 games.
Trey Burton had a scheduled cap hit of $8.5 million for the 2020 NFL season along with $4 million guaranteed. The release comes with a hit of $7.5 million in dead cap, saving the Bears just over $1 million if he is not a post June 1 designation. If he is a post June 1 designation, the cap hit reduces to $5.75 million in 2020, saving the Bears $2.8 million. The post June 1 designation also carries a 2021 dead cap hit of $1.75 million.
With less than a week before the 2020 NFL Draft the man who threw the touchdown to Nick Foles for the Philly Special joins free agency, and with a weak tight end class it should be expected that he signs soon. Teams like the Patriots with the only tight ends on their roster being Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo, this is unlikely due to their limited cap space at just over $1.22 million. The Packers come to mind as well with their current tight ends being Even Baylis, Marcedes Lewis, Jace Sternberger and Robert Tonyan. Another possible destination for Burton would be the Dallas Cowboys who’s tight end room contains the likes of, Dalton Schultz, Blake Jarwin, Blake Bell and Cole Hikutini.
