Ben Braunecker‘s tenure with the Bears has come to an end. The team announced today that they’ve released the veteran tight end.
The Harvard product joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2016, and he proceeded to spend four years with the organization. The 26-year-old has appeared in 48 total games with eight starts (including postseason), hauling in 15 receptions for 157 receiving yards. The six-foot-three tight end finally hauled in his first career touchdown pass during the Bears’ Week 9 win over the Lions this past season.
Braunecker was also a stalwart on special teams for Chicago, compiling 16 career tackles in 780 career special teams snaps.
The veteran was limited to only 11 games last season. He landed on the injured reserve in mid-December after sustaining a concussion.
The Bears have revamped their tight end depth chart this offseason. The team signed Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris, and they added rookie Cole Kmet in the second round of the draft. The organization is also rostering holdovers Adam Shaheen, J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted, and Eric Saubert, as well as former USC basketball player Darion Clark.
How’s he going to support Sydney?
The Golic’s are devestated.
LoL its not too late to change your mind Sydney.
Here’s a real stumper: How many tight ends will Chicago carry on it’s final roster and which ones? The over/under is 4.5
Kent Graham Harris Holtz Horsted
No Shaheen, huh? Do you think they could still acquire a low level draft pick in a trade or will they have to waive him outright?
Waive him
Shaheen has been a bust from day one. Why they’ve kept him this long is a complete mystery..
Bears now only have 13 TEs on the roster
The payroll expense on Graham is more than the other 7 TEs combined so the Bears should dump him and save $6M.
Braunecker cut, Shaheen traded, What bears tight end will be next to be on another team.