Three surprise cuts the Chicago Bears should make in 2020

Ben Braunecker

Next up on the potential “surprise” cut list is Ben Braunecker. The Chicago Bears tight end room needs an overhaul in 2020. The position is very important to Matt Nagy’s offense, yet not a single tight end finished with more than 100 receiving yards in 2019. Trey Burton (who I would be okay cutting despite only saving $1 million in cap space) struggled with injuries in 2019 but has never looked the same since heading into the 2018 playoff game versus the Eagles.

Adam Shaheen needs to go too. However, I cannot consider him a surprise cut. If I am Ryan Pace, my 2019 tight end room would include Trey Burton (or a free agent to replace him), Jesper Horsted, J.P. Holtz and a rookie tight end taken in either the second round or fourth round with their compensatory pick. Personally, I’d probably lean the second round depending on who is available.

If the Chicago Bears move on from Braunecker, the team will free up another $1.4 million dollars in cap space. I have nothing against Braunecker. He has been a serviceable backup tight end in this offense, but it is time to see who else can step up. Horsted and Holtz did just fine filling in for Braunecker last season after Braunecker went on injured reserve. Throw in a top 2020 NFL Draft prospect to go with them and I think this group will be at least average this season.

This move puts the Chicago Bears salary cap space at just over $43 million dollars, which is essentially the league average. Could any other moves put them in the top half?