Former Rams Draft Pick Released by NFC Foe

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Feb 21, 2025 5:32 PM ET

A former Los Angeles Rams draft pick is primed to become a free agent after what happened on Friday.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chicago Bears told tight end Gerald Everett they plan to release him. Releasing Everett will free up $5.5 million in cap space for the franchise.

Everett was a second-round pick by the Rams in the 2017 NFL Draft out of South Alabama. He played for the franchise from 2017-20 and recorded 1,389 receiving yards with eight touchdowns.

After four seasons with the Rams, Everett signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks. After the 2021 season, he signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Bears told veteran TE Gerald Everett that they plan to release him, a move that will free up $5.5 million in salary cap space.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 21, 2025

Everett struggled to maintain a consistent level of production with the Bears. He finished last season with 36 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Everett was a model of consistency after his time with the Rams ended. With the Seahawks in 2021, he accounted for a career-high 478 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

In the two seasons with the Chargers, he had 966 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

One reason Everett's numbers dipped was a lack of playing time behind Bears tight end Cole Kmet. Kmet started 16 of Chicago's 17 games last season, whereas Everett played in every game but only started in four.

Everett was in the second year of his $12 million contract with the Bears. Before the Bears released him, he would have become a free agent in 2026.

The Rams released Everett the season before their 2021 Super Bowl run. That season, they faced the Cincinnati Bengals and won 23-20.

The 30-year-old tight end will hit the free-agent market when it opens on March 12. He will play for his fifth NFL team in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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