I think that Chicago Bears lead contract negotiator Cliff Stein either has his bonus based on being the first to sign all draft picks or he has a vacation planned for mid-May and wants all pending business closed before be leaves. Either way, you have to admire the tenacity in which the Bears approach getting all of their rookies signed. All kidding aside, since the new rookie wage scale was implemented with the latest CBA in 2011, the process has almost gotten to be too easy.
Tuesday was another busy day for Stein and the Bears as they signed four more draft picks, bringing their total of signed draft picks to six. Early in the day, they confirmed deals with fourth round draft pick, running back Ka’Deem Carey and seventh round offensive lineman Charles Leno Jr. Later in the day, the Bears confirmed contracts with punter Pat O’Donnell, drafted in the sixth round, and second round selection, defensive tackle Ego Ferguson. All players were inked to four-year deals.
With six picks in the fold, the Bears only have two picks left to be signed, first round cornerback Kyle Fuller and third round defensive tackle Will Sutton. With rookie minicamp starting on Friday, it’s a pretty safe bet that the Bears will have all of their draft picks under contract.