Live updates: Bears free agency news and notes

Beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, NFL teams are allowed to hold preliminary negotiations with prospective free agents from other teams. Thus begins the NFL free agency frenzy.

This year promises to be unlike any other. Teams are dealing with the ramifications of a decreased salary cap for the first time in a decade. Reports will filter in throughout the next few days. It’s important to note that no contract agreements can become official until free agency begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The Bears have multiple needs in free agency. Stay right here for Bears updates throughout the next few days.

Bears sign outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu

The Bears have added outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu on a two-year contract, the team announced Sunday.

Attaochu, 28, is a seven-year NFL veteran. He spent the past two season with the Denver Broncos. He recorded five sacks in 13 games last season with the Broncos. He totaled 31 tackles, including six tackles for loss.

Attaochu was a second-round draft pick for the San Diego Chargers in 2014. He spent four season with the Chargers and one with the New York Jets before joining the Broncos in 2019.

The Bears need help in the pass rush. Attaochu joins a Bears outside linebacker group featuring Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. Mack led the Bears with nine sacks in 2020, while Quinn struggled to just two sacks in 15 games. Former Bears outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo became a free agent last week, leaving an opening at the position.

Kyle Fuller to sign with Denver, per report

The Bears have officially released two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Kyle Fuller. The move indicates that the Bears couldn’t find a partner in a trade for Fuller.

The 2018 All-Pro performer didn’t last long on the market. Fuller is signing a one-year, $9.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos, according to a report from the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The move reunites Fuller with former Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who is now the head coach in Denver. Cutting Fuller saved the Bears approximately $11 million in salary cap space in 2021, but left the team with a major hole at cornerback.

The Bears officially signed free agent cornerback Desmond Trufant on Saturday. Trufant is an eight-year veteran who spent last season with Detroit.

[ Bears sign cornerback Desmond Trufant ]

Bears sign cornerback Desmond Trufant: report

The process of replacing Pro Bowl cornerback Kyle Fuller has begun. The Bears are signing former Detroit cornerback Desmond Trufant, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Trufant, 30, is a former first-round draft pick (22nd overall to Atlanta in 2013) and was a Pro Bowl cornerback in 2015. He played seven season in Atlanta before moving to Detroit in 2020.

Injuries limited Trufant to only six games in 2020. In 2019, his final season with the Falcons, he played in only nine games.

Allen Robinson signs one-year franchise tag deal, per report

Bears receiver Allen Robinson has signed his one-year franchise tag deal worth about $18 million, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The move doesn’t necessarily mean Robinson is going to play for the Bears in 2021. Robinson and the Bears have until July 15 to work out a long-term contract extension. If they do not do so, the two sides would have to wait until after the 2021 season to sign a long-term contract.

The Bears could also trade Robinson between now and then.

Robinson has been vocal about his desire for a long-term deal, as well as his dislike for the one-year franchise tag. Signing him to a longer contract would give the Bears the flexibility to push off some of his $18 million cap hit into future years. But contract talks between Robinson and the Bears haven’t gone well and the situation is still very much up in the air.

Report: Bears release Pro Bowl CB Kyle Fuller

In a desperate move to create salary cap space, the Bears are reportedly releasing cornerback Kyle Fuller. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Fuller is indeed a cap casualty.

The Bears drafted Fuller 14th overall in 2014. He is a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback and was an All-Pro performer in 2018, when he led the NFL with seven interceptions and 21 passes defended.

Fuller was set to cost the Bears $20 million in salary cap space in 2021. By cutting him, they save approximately $11 million in cap space. But by doing so, they also lose one of their best defenders and create an immediate need for another cornerback.

Brent Urban signs with Dallas

Former Bears defensive end Brent Urban is heading to the Dallas Cowboys. Kate Urban, Brent’s wife, broke the news on Twitter. Brent Urban later confirmed his wife’s reporting in a post to Twitter writing, “Chicago I love you but now it’s time to saddle up and head south.”

Brent Urban, 29, played parts of two seasons with the Bears. He played in all 16 games in 2020 and recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks.

Report: The Bears are pursuing WR Kenny Golladay

Free agent receiver Kenny Golladay, formerly of the Detroit Lions, met with the Bears on Wednesday night, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Golladay is one of the top free agents on the market. He is also meeting with the New York Giants, according to Schefter.

Injuries derailed Golladay’s 2020 season, limiting him to only five games, but he had put together back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons the two years prior to that. The meeting signals that the Bears are interested in a top receiver. That raises some questions about what they intend to do with receiver Allen Robinson, who they used the franchise tag on last week. Robinson has made it clear that he’s not a fan of playing on a one-year franchise tag.

Trubisky signs with Buffalo

Former Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky is heading to Buffalo. The Bills announced Thursday that they had signed Trubisky to a one-year contract.

The news brings an official end to the Trubisky era in Chicago. The 26-year-old quarterback spent his entire four-year career in Chicago up to this point. Bears general manager Ryan Pace drafted Trubisky second overall in the 2017 draft. Trubisky went 29-21 as a starter with the Bears. He helped the Bears two playoff appearances, including an NFC North division title in 2018, but never won a playoff game.

Trubisky will likely serve as the backup to Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen. Allen led the Bills to a 13-3 season last year, which included a run to the AFC Championship game.

The Bears announced Wednesday that they had signed quarterback Andy Dalton, signaling an end to Trubisky’s tenure in Chicago.

Report: Bears sign DL Angelo Blackson

The Bears have agreed to a two-year contract with defensive lineman Angelo Blackson, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The 6-foot-4, 320-pound defensive tackle later confirmed the move on social media.

Blackson, 28, is a six-year NFL veteran who spent last season with the Arizona Cardinals. He previously played in Houston and Tennessee as well. Blackson played in all 16 games for the Cardinals in 2020. His 2.5 sacks last season tied a career high. He also had a career-high four tackles for loss.

Blackson played about half the defensive snaps for the Cardinals. He started the final eight games of the 2020 regular season.

Bears fans will like this: Blackson is a native of Bear, Delaware.

Kyle Long to sign with Kansas City

Former Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long, who recently announced he is coming out of retirement, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. The signing was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Long played his entire seven-year career with the Bears until he retired following the 2019 season. He spent the 2020 season as a television analyst on CBS.

Long will now be protecting MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He and new teammates will be tasked with fixing an offensive line that broke down repeatedly during Super Bowl LV.

[ Former Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long is coming out of retirement ]

Bush is staying with the Bears, per report

The Bears will bring back safety Deon Bush on a one-year contract, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Bush was set to become a free agent.

The 2021 season will be Bush’s sixth with Chicago. The Bears drafted him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. He primarily was a special teams player last season, seeing limited snaps defensively.

New league year begins, Bears make Dalton signing official

At 3 p.m. Wednesday, the NFL’s new league year officially began. Shortly after 3 p.m., the Bears made the Andy Dalton signing official. Teams could not announce free agency signings until the new league year began.

Dalton is officially a Bear.

[ Bears sign veteran QB Andy Dalton, per report ]

Additionally, the Bears made the previously reported Germain Ifedi signing official. The offensive lineman will be back for another season after joining the Bears a year ago.

The new league year also means several Bears officially are free agents, including quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Several other key contributors hit free agency: return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson, safety Tashaun Gipson, defensive linemen Brent Urban and John Jenkins and outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo. Bobby Massie, who was cut last week, officially is a free agent as well.

Others hitting free agency at 3 p.m. were defensive back Artie Burns, tight end Demetrius Harris, receiver Dwayne Harris, defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson, defensive tackle Daniel McCullers, defensive back Sherrick McManis, long snapper Patrick Scales and offensive tackle Jason Spriggs.

Four restricted free agents did not receive a minimum tender from the Bears and now are free agents: receiver DeAndre Carter, tackle Rashaad Coward, defensive back Michael Joseph and kicker Eddy Pineiro.

[ Hub Arkush: Andy Dalton is not what the doctor ordered for the Chicago Bears ]

Bears reportedly bring back OL Germain Ifedi

Offensive lineman Germain Ifedi reportedly will return to the Bears for another season. The 26-year-old Ifedi will sign a one-year, $5 million contract with the Bears, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Ifedi signed with the Bears last offseason on a one-year contract. He had spent the previous four seasons in Seattle.

Ifedi played about every snap for the Bears in 2020. Originally, he was plugged into the starting right guard position to begin the season. He moved to right tackle late in the season when starting right tackle Bobby Massie suffered a season-ending injury. The Bears offense found its groove in the season with Ifedi at right tackle and Sam Mustipher at center.

The Bears released Massie last week in a move to free salary cap space. They figure to be a team looking to add an offensive lineman in the draft, too. Ifedi proved last season that he can be a versatile plug and play option at either guard or tackle.

Report: Bears sign QB Andy Dalton

The Bears are reportedly signing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to a one-year contract. The deal, first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter is worth a reported $10 million, with the chance to earn an additional $3 million in incentives.

Dalton, 33, played with Dallas last season, stepping into the starting quarterback position after Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending injury.

Dalton joins Nick Foles as the only quarterbacks currently with the Bears. Mitch Trubisky is set to become a free agent.

The Bears are reportedly shopping WR Anthony Miller

It appears the Bears are working to trade receiver Anthony Miller. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears are discussing trades involving Miller.

Miller, 26, was a second-round draft pick for the Bears in 2018. He’s entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract. Miller had a disappointing 2020 season, during which his production in both receptions and receiving yards decreased from the year before. There was some discussion prior to the season that he could emerge as the Bears’ No. 2 receiver, but ultimately rookie Darnell Mooney passed Miller in terms of snap count and production.

Miller’s season ended when he was ejected from the Bears’ Wild Card round playoff game against New Orleans for throwing a punch. Days later, Bears chairman George McCaskey said during an interview on ESPN 1000 that had a problem with Miller’s actions, but said he’d leave decisions on Miller’s future up to general manager Ryan Pace.

Bears make Mario Edwards Jr. signing official

The Bears announced Tuesday morning that they were bringing back defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., a move that had been previously reported. Edwards agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the Bears through 2023. The deal is reportedly worth $11.5 million.

The 27-year-old is facing a two-game suspension in 2021 for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. He is also facing charges in North Carolina for allegedly assaulting a woman at the team hotel in October.

The Edwards signing will fill a key role with Roy Robertson-Harris heading to Jacksonville via free agency. Edwards, who was primarily a spot player in 2020, will likely play an even bigger role on the Bears’ defensive line moving forward.

Fitzpatrick, Winston find landing places

Two more quarterbacks are reportedly off the free agent market.

New Orleans quarterback Jameis Winston has agreed to a one-year contract with the Saints, worth up to $12 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Winston, 27, served as a backup to now-retired New Orleans legend Drew Brees last season. He likely steps into the starting job in 2021.

Also reportedly agreeing to a new deal Monday night was former Miami quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. According to Schefter, Fitzpatrick will sign with the Washington Football Team on a one-year contract worth $10 million, with the potential to be worth $12 million.

Fitzpatrick, 38, spent the past two seasons in Miami. He had a 4-3 record as a starter in 2020, but was benched in favor of rookie Tua Tagovailoa, a move that was somewhat controversial. Fitzpatrick will compete with Taylor Heinicke for the starting job in Washington.

Winston and Fitzpatrick were two potential free agent quarterbacks who the Bears could’ve pursued. But both are now heading elsewhere.

Roy Robertson-Harris to sign with Jacksonville

Former Bears defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris is reportedly heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo first reported the signing. According to Garafolo, Robertson-Harris will sign a three-year, $24.4 million contract, including $14 million in guaranteed money.

Robertson-Harris signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2016 out of UTEP. He played in parts of four seasons with the Bears, and vaulted into the starting lineup when defensive tackle Akiem Hicks missed time due to injury midway through the 2019 season. Robertson-Harris played in eight games for the Bears last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

With the Bears facing a cap crunch, it’s not a surprise to see Robertson-Harris seek greener pastures. He was due for a raise and the Bears simply have too many other pressing needs to fill.

Robertson-Harris later acknowledged the move on social media, tweeting out a popular Jaguars chant.

Kyle Long to visit with multiple teams

Former Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long, who announced last week that he’s coming out of retirement, is set to visit with Las Vegas and Kansas City, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Long played his entire seven-year career with the Bears after they selected him with a first-round draft pick in 2013. The 32-year-old lineman spent last season as a television analyst for CBS.

What you missed over the weekend

The Bears re-signed defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. to a three-year, $11.5 million contract. Edwards recorded four sacks in 2020, his first season with the Bears.

The Bears also restructured the contracts of outside linebacker Khalil Mack, safety Eddie Jackson and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair in order to create $23 million in cap space, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Bears salary cap, after rollovers and adjustments, is about $190 million for the 2021 season. Those restructured contracts bring the Bears below the cap. They have approximately $186 already committed for the 2021 season. That number includes receiver Allen Robinson’s $17.9 million cap hit under the franchise tag. Signing Robinson to a long-term deal could greatly reduce that number. Cutting several other players could also free up cap space.

On Thursday, the Bears announced a contract extension with kicker Cairo Santos, who is coming off the best season by a Bears kicker ever, in terms of field goal percentage. The Bears also agreed to an extension with punter Pat O’Donnell.