Bears sign offensive lineman Germain Ifedi to one-year deal

The Bears have signed offensive lineman Germain Ifedi to a one-year deal, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday. The financial terms of the contract have yet to be announced.

Ifedi, who turns 26 in June, was the No. 31 overall pick by the Seahawks in the 2016 NFL draft. He has spent the last four years starting at both guard and tackle for Seattle, having started in 60 over the past four years, including all 16 games the team played in 2019. Though he was a starter on their offensive line, he never quite lived up to expectations, and the Seahawks declined his fifth-year option last May. Before coming to the pros, he was a three-year starter at Texas A&M.

This marks the first offensive lineman the Bears have signed this offseason. With right guard currently a major need on their roster, Chicago will likely insert Ifedi into their competition for the starting spot, presumably with a draft pick still to come. At the very least, the 6-foot-6, 325-pound Ifedi offers versatility along the offensive line and can serve as a valuable backup at four of the five offensive line positions.

With Ifedi joining the likes of Robert Quinn, Barkevious Mingo and Artie Burns, the Bears have signed four former first-round picks so far this offseason.