It appears the New England Patriots have very little interest in the recently released Trey Burton.

According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Patriots are not likely to sign the former Chicago Bears tight end. Burton was released by Chicago on Friday afternoon.

“There's been some local fan interest in free agent tight end Trey Burton, who was just released by the Bears. But at the moment, it looks like a long shot that Burton would wind up with the Patriots, per source.”

Burton appeared in only eight games last season due to hip surgery. He caught just 14 passes for 84 yards before he was placed on injured reserve. During the year prior, the veteran tight end had a banner year. In 16 starts in 2018, Burton caught 54 passes for 569 yards and six touchdowns. This was while leading the Bears to their first playoff berth in eight years.

Burton remains in the thick of his prime at just 28 years of age. The Patriots have a big hole at tight end after Benjamin Watson announced his retirement in the offseason. The 39-year-old Watson served as the team's starting tight end for the last half of the 2019 season.

The Patriots will return both Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse at tight end; two tight ends who split snaps before Watson took over the job. However, Izzo and LaCosse underwhelmed while taking over for the retired Rob Gronkowski. In fact, they combined for just 19 receptions, 245 yards and two touchdowns.

With the 2020 NFL Draft to take place next weekend, New England will look to fill that void. If they don't, Burton is an option on the free agent market.