Chicago Bears release Ben Braunecker

The Chicago Bears have announced that they have released veteran tight end Ben Braunecker.

Braunecker played four years with the Bears since being an undrafted free agent from Harvard in 2016. During his time in Chicago he carved out a role on special teams with 16 total tackles, but he also picked up 7 starts during his 47 career games. He had 13 catches, 142 yards, and 1 touchdown that came in last year’s win against the Lions.

He ended his 2019 season on injured reserve with a concussion, but if he’s fully recovered he could latch on with a team in need of a veteran tight end and special teamer. Then again, he could put his degree in molecular and cellular biology to use if no team shows interest.

According to Over The Cap, this move will save the Bears $1,468,750 in cap space with only $150,000 going towards dead money.

With Braunecker released the Bears still have eight tight ends on the current roster; Jimmy Graham, Demetrius Harris, Adam Shaheen, Cole Kmet, J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted, Eric Saubert, and Darion Clark, but with offseason rosters reported to being 80 instead of the usual 90, don’t be surprised if another is released soon.