Jake Butt is calling it career. The Bears placed the veteran tight end on the reserve-retired list today (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter).
Butt had a standout collegiate career at Michigan, earning a first-team All-American nod and a pair of first-team All-Big Ten honors. However, he also suffered a pair of torn ACLs during his time in college, and that led to him sliding to the fifth round of the 2017 draft.
Unfortunately for the tight end, it was more of the same in the NFL. Thanks mostly to continued injuries, the six-foot-six target was limited to only eight games in four seasons. After returning from his college ACL tear in 2018, Butt sustained another torn ACL, ending that season prematurely. Complications from his injury forced him to sit out the 2019 campaign, and his 2020 season was cut short thanks to a hamstring injury.
In total, the 25-year-old finished his career having hauled in 10 receptions for 90 yards in eight games (four starts). Five of those games came in 2020, with Butt appearing in 11-percent of Denver’s offensive snaps.
It was only last month that the 26-year-old caught on with the Bears. The organization may have had an inkling that this decision was coming; the team signed tight end Jesse James earlier this week. The new addition will join a depth chart that also includes Jimmy Graham, Cole Kmet, and fellow newcomers J.P. Holtz.
collecting 20k a yr now. he should of sat out that bowl game like so many players do. would of been a 3rd rounder?
Hindsight is 20/20. I applaud his going after the bowl win for his school and his teammates. Tough break. A long NFL career wasn’t God’s plan for him. I think he will do something else great in this next chapter. Cheers, Jake.
Yes, God is heavily involved in the careers of NFL tight ends…
HE is involved with anyone who wants HIM to be. Are you excluded?
Honestly I think he would’ve been taken higher than a 3rd rounder. Probably at least a second
yeah. he was graded as a 1st but with medicals it was question at first and then the last game he played happened. after that he was supposed to go in the 3rd but he ended up dropping big time.
Hope he finished his degree
Holtz isn’t a newcomer
Too bad. He is a great TE. Best wishes to him on his next career
If Ridley Scott directs another Gladiator movie there should be a role for Jake Butt as Gluteus Maximus.
This is the second article that’s listed Holtz as a newcomer. He played in all 16 games with the Bears last season.
And was on the roster the year before that.
So deep put the Butt to sleep…..
Today was a good Day -Jake Butt
Remember when he was drafted one spot ahead of George Kittle? What could have been….
nobody my man, but big ten maniacs.
And every single Bronco fan
so very true.
Bum from Bischigan lmao
This is sad. Butt looked one of the most complete TEs we had seen coming out of Michigan, but those injuries were just devastating. I feel for the guy. I hope he does well wherever he goes next.
As for Denver, Heuerman and Butt as consecutive high TE picks was pretty unfortunate. Can’t looks to be much better than either of them were in Denver, but it’s unfortunate that those other guys’ careers were both derailed by injuries. Best of luck to Butt in whatever he does next.
Seriously, do you bother doing any research or fact checking for these posts?
J.P. Holtz is the most senior TE on the roster, not a newcomer. No matter how many time you suggest otherwise, he is not a newcomer.
Time to take a few years off and reevaluate