NFL free agency update: Bears sign Trey Burton
By D. J. Evans
Previously known for the beautiful execution of a trick play in the Super Bowl, Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end Trey Burton just got paid by the Chicago Bears.
Having already secured the services of one of the top free agent wide receivers on the market (Allen Robinson) earlier this morning, the Chicago Bears continued to load up on offense by signing one of the top free agent tight ends, Trey Burton.
While Trey Burton has played second fiddle to Zach Ertz the past few years, he showed flashes of his potential the past two seasons. His best game by far came against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13 last season when he caught five passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns. In a backup role for the Eagles, he managed to catch five touchdowns on the season and threw the most famous touchdown of all in Super Bowl LII.
Contract details
According to Ian Rapoport, it’s a four-year deal worth $32 million. While at first blush that number seems large, the Bears are obviously banking on Burton’s potential.
National reaction
The #Bears are putting some pieces around Trubisky!
— Casey Jones (@___caseyjones) March 13, 2018
Allen Robinson, now Trey Burton.
They have a solid backfield with Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen.
That #Bears offense is starting to look up.
Grade
The money is obviously big for a guy whose most catches in a season were 37 in 2016. But Burton hasn’t been given the chance to shine in Ertz’s shadow. He ran a 4.62 40-yard dash at the combine in 2014. The Bears were in desperate need of a tight end and have the money to spend. Burton could be the ideal fit as he takes over the Travis Kelce role in Matt Nagy’s system.
Grade: B+