49ers Can Have Unstoppable Tight End Duo if They Pair Trey Burton With George Kittle
By Andrew Gullotta
The reigning NFC champs are a bit shorthanded after losing two integral contributors from their 2019 Super Bowl run this offseason -- wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner are no longer on the roster.
To help offset those losses, the 49ers have two first-round picks, but it is not a guarantee that they pick two players ready to impact the team in 2020. There most be another way to solidify the team after losing such important players.
In comes former Bears tight end Trey Burton.
After bursting on the scene in 2017 with five touchdowns and a Super Bowl ring, Burton cashed in. He signed a four-year, $32 million deal with Chicago. Despite a solid 2018 campaign, where he caught 54 passes for 569 yards and six touchdowns, Burton's production significantly dropped in 2019 due to questionable quarterback play from Mitchell Trubisky and nagging injuries. After the season, the Bears' front office found that Burton was expendable, and cut the tight end.
If he enters the fold with the 49ers, Burton could be in for a bounce-back year. He would enter a familiar complimentary role opposite George Kittle, and would instantly become another security target for Jimmy Garoppolo.
After seeing how unstoppable the former Eagles tight end was in 2017 with fellow Pro Bowler Zach Ertz, Burton has another opportunity to channel that dominance with Kittle.