Chicago Bears Offseason Stock Watch: Ben Braunecker
Has the stock of Chicago Bears tight end Ben Braunecker went up or down this offseason?
Ben Braunecker has spent the past four seasons with the Chicago Bears. For a UDFA from an Ivy League school, he has had a much longer career than what was expected for his situation and draft slot.
However, when it comes to his run with the Chicago Bears, it may be coming to an end in 2020. Braunecker has only recorded 142 yards combined over his four-year career in Chicago. Last year, with all of the tight end problems, he recorded just six receptions for 59 yards. Injuries hurt his best chance to make an impact with the team, but how his season played out in 2019, it may have sealed his fate in 2020.
Beyond his play or lack thereof, the Bears were on a mission to improve the tight end position this offseason. They signed Demetrius Harris, overpaid Jimmy Graham, and drafted Cole Kmet with their first pick in the second round.
They spent as much as you could on improving the position. Matt Nagy saw what Braunecker brought over the past two years and knew that the team needed to invest in the position.
That is obviously not a good sign for Braunecker. Beyond the three tight ends, they went out and spent on; there is also depth tight ends, which may be the new shiny toy rather than Braunecker.
J.P. Holtz provides depth and versatility. He has an H-back experience and has a role that no others on the roster can provide. Beyond that, Jesper Horsted is the new UDFA from the Ivy League that caught the Bears attention. Horsted is younger, has more team control, and would be more valuable on the practice squad.
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Braunecker is no longer behind just a few tight ends. He has been straight up replaced and does not have a role on the roster any longer. Expect this to be the end for Ben Braunecker.