Trey Burton released by Bears — an Eagles reunion possible?

Share

After just two seasons in Chicago, former Eagles tight end Trey Burton has reportedly been released by the Bears. 

Burton, 28, caught 68 passes for 653 yards and six touchdowns in 24 games with the Bears. 

His production in two seasons in Chicago was greater than what he had in four seasons in Philly, but Burton still didn’t live up to the four-year, $32 million contract he signed with the Bears before the 2018 season. He lasted just two years into the deal. 

Burton played all 16 games in the 2018 season but then missed the wild card game against the Eagles with an injury. That means the last playoff game he played was Super Bowl LII. 

In 2019, Burton played just eight games before his season ended and he needed sports hernia surgery. 

Burton, of course, became a hero in Philadelphia for his role in the Philly Special in the Super Bowl LII win. After Corey Clement flipped him the ball, Burton lofted the ball to Nick Foles to cap one of the gutsiest play calls in NFL history. Nick Foles recently became a Bear but that Philly Special reunion wasn’t meant to be. 

Which leads us to this question: Should the Eagles bring Burton back? 

The Eagles have Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert entrenched as their top two tight ends but don’t really have a third. The frontrunners right now would be Alex Ellis and Josh Perkins, who each spent some time on the 53-man roster last season. 

So if Burton isn’t going to demand a big salary (can’t imagine he would) and the Eagles can sign him for around league minimum … why not? If Burton needs a one-year prove-it deal, the Eagles should be happy to give it to him. 

In recent seasons, the Eagles have shown a willingness to bring back former players, sometimes to a fault, but if the price stays low, there really wouldn’t be a downside to this move. Burton is still just 28, knows the scheme and we already know he would be a great fit in the locker room. 

Burton was a functional third tight end behind Ertz and Brent Celek during his first four years here and he’d be a better option in 2020 than what they have now. It’s worth a call. 

Subscribe and rate the Eagle Eye podcast: 
Apple Podcasts / Google Play / Stitcher / Spotify / Art19

Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.

More on the Eagles

Contact Us