NEWSLETTER
Our readers know all too well about the roster churn that happens in the summer months.
A signing that happens now could be someone who lands on waivers later. And someone on waivers could pop up at Halas Hall at a moment’s notice. A trade here and there can shake things up. Sometimes, guys impress so much during a tryout that it leads to an extended look. But once in a while, something like this happens:
#Bears roster move:
We have placed TE Jake Butt on the Reserve/Retired list.— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) July 28, 2021
Jake Butt, 26, lands on the reserve/retired list. Butt was part of the summertime roster churn in June when he was a tryout at minicamp. Thing went so well, the Bears brought him on board the 90-man preseason roster. It was neat to see Chicago’s front office get a close-up look at a once-notable tight end prospect to see if there was some post-hype sleeper upside. Unfortunately, we won’t get to see it because Butt is retiring. Injuries stink. Father Time and the Football Gods of Wrath don’t care about your prospect status. Sometimes, a body simply doesn’t hold up. And, unfortunatly, it appears as if that’s what is happening with Butt.
As for the rest of the Bears’ tight ends room, the show goes on. It won’t be a glitzy competition, but it will be one worth watching this summer. Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham sit comfortably atop the depth chart. There isn’t much to monitor there, save for growth from Kmet after spending the summer at Tight End U. But the rest of the group? Get your popcorn ready, friends. J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted, Scooter Harrington, and the recently signed Jesse James are set to battle for reps, playing time, and a role on the offense and special team. Again, the TE3 and TE4 roles aren’t the most glamourous. But depth matters. Let’s see if the Bears have it at a position that has given them fits in their attempts to fill the position.
