The move is hardly a surprise. Everett was brought in as one of OC Shane Waldron’s guys. The two had worked together for five years before 2024. Everett held a part-time role early in the season but quickly fell out of the mix on offense. Waldron was fired well before the end of the season. Everett ended the year with eight catches for 36 yards. His release will save the Bears $5.5 million in cap space. Soon to be 31 years old, Everett will look for work as a backup tight end in 2025.

Everett, as our last blurb on him lays out succinctly, caught eight passes all season. The Bears can save $5.5 million against the cap by releasing Everett, and Cole Kmet is obviously Chicago’s No. 1 option at the position. Everett will likely be looking elsewhere for a stay-in-the-league sort of role in 2025.

One of the worst free agent signings of the spring, Everett ends his first and likely only Bears campaign with eight catches for 36 yards. A totally foreseeable outcome to everyone but the Bears’ front office. Going on 31, Everett’s dynasty league star won’t be revived in a new home.

Sure, Everett turned that playing time advantage into ... one catch for -1 yards on one target ... but the point is, he was ahead of Kmet with the Bears in comeback mode after they fell behind 17-0 in the second quarter. Strange game script while Caleb Williams struggled mightily in his NFL debut, yes, but it’s clear Everett is indeed a major problem for Kmet’s TE2 prospects. For his part, Everett is not yet on the streamer radar.