Friday, the Chicago Bears released tight end Trey Burton. Granted the lackluster group of tight ends currently on the Washington Redskins’ roster, some speculated Burton could be an interest for the Redskins. However, that appears not to be the case.
According to Julie Donaldson of NBC Sports Washington, the Redskins won’t pursue Burton.
The Redskins have tried to address the glaring hole left at tight end by the release of oft-injured Jordan Reed and the retirement of Vernon Davis. The team struck out on Greg Olsen and Austin Hooper’s price tag was too much for Washington.
Instead, the Redskins signed recently converted tight end Logan Thomas and veteran Richard Rodgers. Thomas is 28 and playing in his third season at the position after spending being converted from quarterback. He is coming off his best season with 16 catches, 173 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Rodgers was once the starting tight end for the Green Bay Packers. However, injuries have hampered his momentum. He had just one reception since the 2017 season and spent much of last year out of the league.
Other tight ends on the Redskins roster include Jeremy Sprinkle, Hale Hentges and Caleb Wilson.
None of the current Redskins tight ends have a resume close to Burton. However, Burton hasn’t been himself since being injured ahead of the Bears’ wild card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in January 2019. Burton had a career year prior to his injury with 54 receptions, 569 yards and six touchdowns.
Burton underwent sports hernia surgery the following offseason. But he was never quite recovered and his issues lingered into the 2019 season. He struggled through the season before he was placed on season-ending injured reserve in November. He finished the season with 14 receptions for 84 yards in eight games.
After signing Jimmy Graham, a player who has been healthy but struggled on the field as late, the Bears released Burton. Chicago ate a $4 million guarantee and a potential $7.5 million dead cap hit in the process, according to Spotrac. That may speak volumes to the extent of Burton’s injury issues.
As Donaldson stated, his health is a concern for the Redskins, a team that desperately needs to proven tight end.
Burton was once proven before he was injured and while he may continue to find a new NFL home to continue his career, it won’t be with the Redskins, according to the report.
