The Bears have agreed to a four-year deal with former New York Giants tight end Martellus Bennett, the team confirmed. Bennett was scheduled to come to Chicago on Tuesday night for a visit.
As for the Bears re-signing their own free agents, there was no sign of any movement as free agency began at 3 p.m. That would make 34-year-old linebacker Brian Urlacher, the face of the franchise, a free agent for the first time in his career.
Urlacher's agent submitted a contract proposal to the Bears last Thursday. It appears the Bears haven't responded with a counter offer.
Other key players apparently now on the free-agent market are defensive lineman Israel Idonije, linebacker Nick Roach, offensive lineman Lance Louis and cornerback Kelvin Hayden.
Bennett played on a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Giants last season. He is represented by Kennard McGuire, the same agent who represents Marshall.
Bennett, 26, started his career with the Dallas Cowboys. Last year with the Giants, he caught 55 passes for 626 yards and five touchdowns.
At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, the former Texas A&M star could be a big target for Jay Cutler. The Bears got little production out of starter tight end Kellen Davis last season.
The Bears now have to decide what to do with the other tight ends on the roster. Davis had a $2.4 million base salary with a $100,000 workout bonus. He would count $3.85 million against the cap if on the team and $1.35 million against the cap if released.
Matt Spaeth, who had arthroscopic knee surgery this offseason, has a base salary of $1.025 million with a $500,000 roster bonus and $100,000 workout bonus. He would count $1,958,334 against the cap if on the team and $333,334 against the cap if released.