Report: Steelers CB Artie Burns Signs with Chicago Bears

Former Steelers cornerback Artie Burns has signed a one-year free agent contract with the Chicago Bears, his agent told Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Burns, 24, was the Steelers’ first-round draft pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, but had lost his starting job in Pittsburgh over the last year and a half, which triggered the Steelers to decline the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, making him a free agent.

Burns started all 16 games as a second-year player in 2017, but in 2018, he was supplanted by veteran Coty Sensabaugh, and in 2019, the Steelers acquired Steven Nelson as a free agent, leaving Burns with minimal playing time. In 2019, he played in 10 games and made one start, recording a total of just eight tackles.

Without Burns, Cameron Sutton will become the Steelers’ top backup at outside cornerback in addition to playing in the slot. Mike Hilton will also be back with the team in 2020 as a nickel corner.

Burns was the last player of the Steelers’ 2016 draft class to remain with the team. Safety Sean Davis, nose tackle Javon Hargrave and inside linebacker Tyler Matakevich had previously left the team in this free agency period.