Chicago Bears exercise the 5th year option on Kyle Long

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.

It was just a few days ago when we wondered if/when the Chicago Bears were going to pick up that 5th year option on Kyle Long.

Today the team announced that they have exercised that option, meaning that Long is under contract through the 2017 season. Since Long was drafted 20th overall, his 5th year salary will be the average of the 3rd through 25th highest salaries at his position. The NFL CBA says that the position to determine the average is the position the player played most during his 3rd year in the league. For Long that would be tackle, so that could mean a salary of over $8 million. If there is some kind of loophole in the CBA I'm unaware of, and the NFL recognizes him as a guard, since that is where he's playing in 2016, then his salary would be a little less that $5 million according to 670 The Score's Dan Durkin.

EDIT: Joel Corry, former agent and current salary cap guru for CBSSports and National Football Post, is reporting that Long's 2017 salary will be $8.821 million.

Long is a three time Pro Bowler, twice as a right guard and last year at right tackle. This year he's moving back inside to right guard with the acquisition of Bobby Massie. Long has only missed one game in his career, starting all 47 games in which he's appeared. So the Bears lock up one of their more durable and better players.

What are your thoughts on the Bears exercising the 5th year option for Long?