In the 2020 offseason, the most discussed position of need for the Patriots has been tight ends. Whether it’s through the draft or free agency, fans and media alike have been clamoring for the team to make a move.
A solid fit seemed to arise when the Bears released tight end Trey Burton on Friday. This move came just two years after Burton signed a four-year deal worth $32 million back in 2018.
While it appears that Burton would be a smart signing for New England to help out their next quarterback, it’s not as likely as some would think. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported that a deal between the Patriots and the former Bears tight end is a “long shot.”
There's been some local fan interest in free agent tight end Trey Burton, who was just released by the Bears. But at the moment, it looks like a long shot that Burton would wind up with the Patriots, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) April 18, 2020
Burton spent the last two years with the Bears, recording 653 yards and two touchdowns. However, his 2019 season, which was shortened due to a groin injury, saw him produce a dismal 84 yards without a trip to the endzone.
Prior to his time in Chicago, Burton was a member of the Eagles team that beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Burton threw the touchdown to quarterback Nick Foles in the iconic “Philly Special.”
While it would be nice to finally see the Patriots bring in someone to improve the tight end group, it doesn’t seem like Burton is going to be the one to do so.
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