Tight End Trey Burton is the newest member of the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts needed a TE, and many speculated that the team would pick one up in this week’s NFL Draft.
But on the cusp of the draft, the Colts made this key move and secured Burton at the veteran’s minimum salary.
Free agent TE Trey Burton has agreed to terms with the #Colts, per @EnterSportsMgmt. Back together with coach Frank Reich. He gets a 1-year deal worth the minimum… but he gets a total of $4M that’s already guaranteed from the #Bears.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2020
Burton is entering his 7th NFL season.
The Colts picked him up through free agency.
In Frank Reich’s system, Trey Burton is a more reliable option than Ebron not only as a blocker but pass-catcher as well.
Burton only had 5 drops on 100 targets the last two seasons. Ebron nearly tripled him with 14 drops on 162 targets. #Colts
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) April 22, 2020
Burton was released by the Chicago Bears on April 17th after 2 seasons with a “failed physical” designation.
Prior to that, he was a Philadelphia Eagle for 4 years where he was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent.
Here are three things to know about 28-year-old Trey Burton.
1. He is reunited with Frank Reich.
Frank Reich was the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles while Burton was on the roster.
He was the lesser known TE on the Eagles team.
Zach Ertz got the majority of reps and playing time.
While Ertz served as a football mentor for Burton, Burton is one of the players Ertz credits for his spiritual growth.
Burton’s best year with the Eagles was 2017 when the Eagles won the Super Bowl.
He played in 15 games, gained 248 yards, and caught 5 TD passes.
2. Burton had highs and lows in Chicago.
After playing backup in Philadelphia, Burton got his big break in Chicago.
He signed a 4 year, $32 million contract with the Bears in 2018.
Burton had his career best season in 2018 with 54 catches, 569 yards, and 6 TDs.
A groin injury festered late in the 2018 season so he was not available for the playoff game against his former team.
The Bears lost to the Eagles 16-15.
He entered the 2019 still dealing with the groin injury.
Unable to play in the opening game of the season, Burton struggled with the injury until November when he was placed on IR.
Burton had hip surgery in December 2019.
3. Burton is the lesser-known player in a monumental Super Bowl play.
Trey Burton released pic.twitter.com/oYjz0YqVNF
— Willy Aitch (@WillyAitch) April 17, 2020
Everyone knows Nick Foles had a pivotal role in the Eagles Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.
He has been credited with calling the “Philly Philly” play when chatting on the sidelines with his Eagles Head Coach, Doug Pederson.
That play now known as the Philly Special will go down in Super Bowl history for its ingenuity and for the clutch play of the 2 players who made it happen.
Nick Foles caught the pass thrown to him by Trey Burton.
Burton’s role in that play is seldom discussed and rarely remembered outside of Philadelphia.
But without his accurate throw, it would not have happened.
The Philly Special secured the Philadelphia Eagles victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
Given Frank Reich’s propensity to use multiple TE schemes, the Colts could have some new and interesting offensive plays for Philip Rivers.
The failed physical designation is certainly a concern, but the Colts got Burton for a bargain price as the Bears owe him the guarantee money.
If he is fully recovered, giving Philip Rivers both Jack Doyle and Trey Burton as targets should be fun to watch for Colts fans.
NEXT: Colts Sign Wide Receiver Marcus Johnson To One-Year Deal