As expected, the Bears announced on Thursday that they released tight end Dion Sims. The move will net the team $6 million in cap savings, per Spotrac, upping the Bears’ available cap space to a little under $12 million.
Sims signed a three-year, $18 million contract in 2017 but didn’t pan out as a blocking tight end with receiving upside. The 28-year-old caught 15 passes for 180 yards with one touchdown in 2017, then was only targeted four times in 2018 before landing on injured reserve with a concussion after eight games.
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Prior to coming to the Bears, Sims was somewhat productive with the Miami Dolphins, watching 68 passes on 96 targets for 667 yards with seven touchdowns from 2016-2016. That he wasn’t able to capitalize on the absence of Adam Shaheen at the “Y” (in-line) spot for the first half of the 2018 season largely sealed his fate.
The Bears were able to keep Sims on their 2018 roster despite a disappointing 2017 thanks to having enough cap space to cover his $6.3 million hit.