Packers should consider signing tight end Trey Burton

The Green Bay Packers should sign tight end Trey Burton.

The Packers could do with some more help at tight end. Trey Burton might be able to help. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chicago Bears are releasing Burton.

Burton wouldn’t necessarily be a difference-maker in Matt LaFleur’s offense, but he’d give Aaron Rodgers another talented receiving tight end while also adding more experience on offense. This would take the pressure off second-year Jace Sternberger, allowing him to continue his development.

Burton had a disappointing 2019 season. He only played in eight games, catching just 14 passes for 84 yards. But that will likely mean the Packers could sign him to a team-friendly deal.

Burton would give the Packers another red-zone threat. In 2018, he caught 54 passes for 569 yards and six touchdowns with the Bears.

This would be another low-risk move by the Packers with a lot of upside. And as he was released by his former team, it wouldn’t count against next year’s compensatory draft picks, which was also the case with the Christian Kirksey and Ricky Wagner signings.

Signing Burton would give the Packers a good combination of experience and youth at tight end. Burton and Marcedes Lewis could both play important roles, with Sternberger and Robert Tonyan still developing in this offense.

The Packers wanted to sign a tight end in free agency. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported last month they were interested in signing Austin Hooper, who instead signed with the Cleveland Browns.

According to ESPN’s John Keim, the Packers showed interest in signing free agent Delanie Walker. Walker is still a free agent so it’s a move Brian Gutekunst may decide to make. But Burton becoming a free agent now gives them another option to consider.

If they can sign Burton on a prove-it deal, it would make a lot of sense. He’s an experienced, talented tight end who could help Green Bay’s offense in 2020.