Chicago Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo has essentially ruled out pursuing veteran wide receiver Plaxico Burress, reiterating that the Bears are not likely to go after the former New York Giants starter.
Burress’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, recently said that two NFL teams are seriously interested in signing Burress. At least one of those teams is widely believed to be the New York Jets.
“Are we one of those two teams?” Angelo told Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. “No.”
Burress’ football situation is complicated by his pending gun charge, which has yet to be resolved with law enforcement authorities. He has been assigned a June 15 court hearing.
Although Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has reportedly called for the team to pursue Burress, it doesn’t sound it’s going to happen. The Bears’ top receivers are Devin Hester, Earl Bennett and Rashied Davis.
Angelo said the team will keep an eye on what transpires with Burress, who could be facing jail time and/or discipline from the league office.
“He could help any team,” Angelo said of Burress. “His play, his production speaks for itself. Everybody would love to have him on their team, including the New York Giants.
“But obviously, they are things that have to happen now for him to play in the league, get on with his life. There are a lot of hurdles to cross before you can really seriously sit here and use that as a viable option.”