An intriguing name and a player with plenty of (Super) history with the Eagles has made his way onto the free agent market.
According to multiple reports the Chicago Bears have released tight end Trey Burton, ending his two-year run in Chicago. Burton ends his time in Chicago with 68 catches for 653 yards and six touchdowns in 24 games played.
Now free to sign with any team, the Eagles would be wise to bring Burton back to the place he spent the first four years of his career.
The Eagles might have the best one-two punch in the NFL at tight end with Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert. As a result, they have made two-tight end sets an important part of their offense. That works great when both players are healthy, but last year, the Eagles twice went into big games without at least one of their top two tight ends. With Goedert out against Atlanta, and Ertz sidelined against the Giants, the Eagles had to either alter their game plan on the fly or turn to Joshua Perkins in big spots. That isn't ideal.
Bringing in Burton would give the team a great safety net at tight end, and allow them to continue to run their normal offense if Ertz or Goedert were to go down with an injury. Yes, Burton has had some injury issues of his own, playing just eight games last season. Outside of the 2019 season, however, Burton has been very durable throughout his career, missing just three games in his first five seasons.
It is also noteworthy that in what is a very different offseason than any other, the fact Burton knows the team's offense is a major bonus. Any rookie or veteran tight end the team would potentially sign or draft won't have the benefit of OTAs or minicamps to learn the offense or gel with quarterback Carson Wentz. Burton would be able to hit the ground running from Day 1.
At 28-years old Burton wouldn't exactly qualify as a "young" free agent, which would seem to go against the team's stated plan of trying to get younger. The Eagles can't just sign the youngest free agent at every position, however, and in this case a veteran is needed between Ertz and Goedert. Burton fits the job description perfectly for what is as the Eagles' third-tight end — a veteran backup that can be counted on if called to play while also contributing on special teams. Plus, Burton isn't exactly old.
This isn't a decision rooted in nostalgia or a desire to get the Super Bowl winning team back together. Bringing back Burton is about adding a good player at a key backup position.
Add in that he knows the team's culture, likely won't cost very much to sign and is very close with Wentz, and signing Burton is a no-brainer if he wants to return.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
