The Chicago Bears had their share of struggles at the tight end position last season. So much so that tight end has become a focal point this offseason.
You can argue who’s been the biggest disappointment at the position, whether it’s Trey Burton or Adam Shaheen. But given the monetary investment in Burton — four years and $32 million — he figures to be the biggest letdown.
Bleacher Report believes Burton is the most overpaid player on Chicago’s roster, which figures to go hand-in-hand with his lack of production.
Trey Burton hasn’t been the caliber of weapon the Chicago Bears expected when they signed the move tight end prior to the 2018 campaign. Injuries have played a part, though, and the Bears are willing to keep Burton as a primary piece for the offense as a result.
Burton’s salary-cap hit exceeds $8 million in each of the next two seasons. His production must increase, or the Bears will go in another direction.
Burton was brought in to be the Travis Kelce in Matt Nagy’s Andy Reid-centric offense. Obviously Burton isn’t near the same level as Kelce. But in his first season with the Bears, Burton showed that he could be a productive offensive weapon.
But Burton has been limited by injuries, which surely affected his short 2019 season. Burton wasn’t the same player he was in 2018, and it clearly affected an offense predicated on the production of the tight end.
The Bears will surely do their due diligence at the tight end position this offseason — they’ve already brought in veteran Demetrius Harris. But Burton’s dead-cap hit — $7.5 million — would be too great to justify releasing him this season.
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