While plenty of Chicago Bears fans were more than happy to see Trey Burton go, others were a bit confused by the team deciding to cut him. For one, even with the June 1st designation, it would still leave them on the hook for $4 million. Besides wouldn’t a healthy Burton paired with Jimmy Graham look pretty decent at tight end? Apparently not. The Bears sent him packing after just two seasons.
When GM Ryan Pace met with the Chicago media two days before the draft via video conference, he was asked about his reasoning. Pace made it clear the player himself wasn’t the issue. It came down to concerns about Burton’s health.
Ever since the end of the 2018 season, Burton was plagued by injuries. This included issues with his groin, his hip, and a sports hernia problem as well. Every time it looked like he was on the mend, something else would go wrong. It’s clear the team wasn’t happy with the tight end’s recovery and decided to just cut their losses.
Trey Burton furthers a rough legacy for Pace
The truth is this move was probably the right one. Then again, it only further showcases just how bad Pace has done at identifying good players at that position. Giving Burton $8 million a year after being a backup his entire career was a reckless move. Drafting Adam Shaheen out of tiny Ashland blew up in his face. Khari Lee? Dion Sims? The list is long and ugly. Every GM has positions he tends to struggle with. Tight end is right at the top for Pace.
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Why should anybody trust he can fix it moving forward? Still, odds are he won’t stop trying. The Bears offense is geared around having productive pass catchers at tight end. That is why they signed former All-Pro Jimmy Graham. It wouldn’t be a shock if they kept adding to the position, doing everything possible to find a difference-maker.
