"As we took a full evaluation of our roster after free agency and factored everything in, that was the best decision for us," Pace said on a teleconference Tuesday. "We wish him nothing but the best of luck. I know he had a good first year with us, but unfortunately for him and for us, the injuries kind of added up. And we just felt at this time, that was the best course of action for our team."
The Bears signed veteran tight ends Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris this offseason, adding them to a position group that includes seven others. The additions of Graham and Harris "fortify the group" at tight end, Pace said.
Signed to a four-year, $32-million deal in March 2018, Burton had an underwhelming tenure in Chicago that was marred by injuries in 2019.
Burton had 54 receptions for 569 yards and six touchdowns in 2018, but he missed the Bears' wild-card round loss to the Eagles due to an injury that was revealed the night before the game. Burton had just 14 receptions for 84 yards over eight games in his injury-plagued 2019.
The Bears designated Burton as a post-June 1 release, meaning the team will free up $2.8 million in salary cap space.