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The Chicago Bears are reported to have made two moves in the last 24 hours in advance of the legal negotiating window for NFL free agency that starts today at 11:00 am (Central).
First, it was reported last night by John “Moon” Mullin NBC Sports Chicago, that they have re-signed tight end Ben Braunecker to a two year deal. Braunecker was set to become a restricted free agent, but the two year deal will likely come in under the RFA original round tender amount and also could be incentive laden.
Braunecker played in a career high 15 games (358 total snaps) in 2018 with 2 starts. He can back up at both of Chicago’s tight end positions, the U and the Y, and he’s a core special teamer.
EDIT: Contract details for Braunecker.
Ben Braunecker Bears deal: $2.7M, salaries $750K (gtd), $1.35M; $550K gtd total, including $300K signing bonus; $100K per game 46-man annual, up to $500K playtime, catches, incentive annual
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 11, 2019
The second move came early this morning, when it was reported by ESPN’s Field Yates that the Bears have converted the $3 million roster bonus that was due to Eddie Goldman this Friday into a signing bonus, thus creating $2.25 million in cap space.
While the Bears aren’t about to spend as freely as they did a year ago in free agency, they are preparing to make a few moves.
One of those moves appeared to have making a push for safety Eric Weddle, who ended up going to the Los Angeles Rams.
Great stuff on how Eric Weddle ended up signing with the Rams. @MMQB says the Bears "were chomping at the bit" to have him in Halas Hall first. His price tag was 5 million plus incentives. Sounds like Adrian Amos was not the Bears first choice.
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) March 11, 2019
Keep it locked right here at WCG for all your Bears’ free agency news and rumors.