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UPDATE: Trey Burton is signing with the Indianapolis Colts, according to his agent. Burton has an obvious connection to former Eagles offensive coordinator and current Colts head coach Frank Reich.
ORIGINAL STORY FROM LAST WEEK BELOW.
The Chicago Bears are releasing former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Trey Burton, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Burton left Philly to sign a four-year, $32 million contract with the Bears during the 2018 offseason. Chicago thought they were getting a rising star but that didn’t exactly turn out to be the case. Burton only logged 653 yards (9.6 average) and six touchdowns in 24 games played over the past two seasons. Injury issues limited the Florida alumnus to just 14 receptions for 84 yards and zero scores in 2019.
By releasing Burton, the Bears only save just over $1 million in cap space compared to $7.5 million in dead money. Strange that they wouldn’t just keep him around, knowing that, but Burton was bound to see a smaller role with Chicago questionably paying out big money to a 33-year-old Jimmy Graham. (UPDATE: The Bears reportedly designated Burton as a post-June 1 cut to save $2.8 million.)
So, should the Eagles bring Burton back? Maybe dust off the Philly Special once again?
If the price is right (read: near minimum contract) ... why not? Burton may have been miscast as a starting tight end but he fits in as an option behind the likes of Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert. It’s worth having a dependable third tight end if the Eagles are truly going to be heavily utilizing 12 personnel. Burton also has a reputation as a valuable special teams contributor and he’s on the right side of 30 at 28 years old.
To be determined if Burton actually wants to come back to Philly or he hopes to aim for a bigger role elsewhere. His options might be limited.
What say you?