Due to a new NFL stipulation, teams are required to now cut down their current rosters of 90 players to 80. This in an effort to help improve social distancing and better limit COVID-19 infections. The Chicago Bears started that process on Friday when they released tight end Ben Braunecker. That was soon followed by their trading of former 2nd round pick Adam Shaheen.
Neither could be called a surprise. Braunecker was caught in a logjam at tight end thanks to three new arrivals in Jimmy Graham, Demetrius Harris, and Cole Kmet. Even his special teams value couldn’t save him. As for Shaheen, he probably would’ve been gone sooner but the Bears clearly felt they could get something for him via trade. It ended up being a conditional 7th round pick from Miami and that can become a 6th in 2021.
After that, three more players were released in receiver Alex Wesley, linebacker Devante Bond, and safety Kentrell Brice. None of them should be considered a surprise as all were likely no more than extra camp bodies.
Chicago Bears still have five more players to go
Training camp for the Bears begins on July 28th. That means the team will need to release or trade five more players before that time. Odds are those moves will become official in the next 24 hours. Don’t expect any further surprises. Braunecker and Shaheen were the closest to that. It will likely either be veteran depth players or a few of their undrafted free agents.
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It would be a shock if another tight end is in that group given how many the Bears still have. The bigger question is whether any of these released names end up on the practice squad. A new NFL rule has expanded them to 16 players per squad with a limitless number of veterans allowed. So technically Braunecker could be retained if he doesn’t find an immediate opportunity elsewhere.