April 26, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; General manager Phil Emery (left) and head coach Marc Trestman (right) stand with first-round selection of guard Kyle Long (center) from Oregon University during a Chicago Bears press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears have their entire 2013 draft class under contract, as they’ve reached agreement to a contract with first round selection Kyle Long.  Long was the last of the class to agree to terms as rest of the rookie class had new paper before rookie minicamp last week.

Terms of the four year deal, with a team option have not been disclosed, but with the new slotting you can bet that it’s somewhere in the ballpark of the 4 year $8 million that Shea McClellin got last season as the 19th pick.    (more…)

Even though the Bears didn’t have a first or second round pick, where the big money and tough negotiations prevail, it’s nice to know that the Bears start the summer and next week’s OTA’s with everyone signed and ready to go.  This marks the fifth straight year that the Bears are the first team to have all of their picks signed.

Getting his deal done was somewhat more complicated than the previous four contracts because the Bears’ rookie pool — the salary cap for signing draft picks — was underfunded. That forced the team and Wright’s agents to use some creativity, but the deal got done before the holiday weekend. The team will begin OTA’s on Wednesday at Halas Hall, but all of the contractual business is now done.

As was reported earlier this week, the Bears had to get creative to get Wright’s contract written up.  Apparently, with a shallow pool of rookie money, the Bears had to include a not-likely-to-be-achieved incentive to get the value of the contract in line with Wright’s third round draft status.

…the Bears’ rookie pool was underfunded, one of the problems that comes with not having a first- and second-round draft pick. That means the Bears will have to include a not-likely-to-be-earned incentive in the contract for Wright because after signing the other four draft picks, there simply isn’t enough space remaining in the rookie pool to give Wright a signing bonus commensurate with his draft status.

For Wright and all other Bears players, my request is simple – go out and earn your money.  No matter how much or how little (and that’s a relative term), go out and work hard, compete and earn your paycheck.  Playing in the NFL is a privilege and playing for the founding franchise is an honor. Do this organization and yourselves proud.

OTA’s start up again on Wednesday as we hit the home stretch of the offseason with Bourbonnais on the not so distant horizon.

BEAR DOWN!!!

First came a tweet from agent  Drew Rosenhaus about the contract extension for versatile defensive lineman Israel Idonije.  Izzy has been a valuable, jack-of-all-trades lineman who has been a key contributor for the Bears on Special Teams  and has served as a valuable backup along the defensive line in recent years.  The deal he inked keeps him in Chicago through 2011 with $3 million in guaranteed money on a contract that could total $7 million.

“My first priority was staying in Chicago,” Idonije said Friday afternoon. “This will be my seventh season as a Chicago Bears and my No. 1 priority was to stay here and conduct business as usual, get healthy and be ready. That was my focus from top to bottom.”

I like his attitude and tone of his quote.  He’s a good guy and a solid contributor whenever and wherever the Bears need someone to step up.  Good for you Izzy!

Next came a barrage of draft pick signings, with seven of the Bears nine selections coming to terms on 4-year rookie deals. D.J. Moore, Johnny Knox, Marcus Freeman, Al Afalava, Lance Louis and Derek Kinder and Henry Melton all agreed to terms.  Defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert and wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias still need to come to terms, but considering where they were drafted, it shouldn’t be long until they fall in line.  I think the key will be to get Iglesias inked and running routes to get his timing down with QB Jay Cutler.

Finally, the biggest and boldest move for last.  The Bears signed strong side linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa.  He was cut by the St. Louis Rams as a offseason move because presumably they didn’t feel he fit with their new defensive scheme.  He led the Rams in tackles in 4 of the last 6 seasons, including 135 last season.  The move heats up the competition at linebacker, where he appears to be the early front-runner for the starting spot.  The pressure is certainly on Hunter Hillenmayer, who was already set to be in an uphill battle with Nick Roach for the Sam linebacker spot.  Speed and the ability to contribute on special teams will be a key to make the opening day roster.

Tinoisamoa played for Lovie Smith in his rookie year, so he should only need a crash course to get back in the swing of things with Lovie’s defense.  Hopefully, this move works out better than the last Lovie Smith castoff brought back to Chicago.  Adam Archuletta, anyone?