Bears bring back punter O’Donnell
For the sixth consecutive year — and likely a seventh — Pat O’Donnell will be the Bears’ punter. He signed a two-year, $4 million deal to stay with the team, sources confirmed Monday night. It marks the second time in as many years O’Donnell agreed to come back to the team that drafted him in 2014. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal last March.
O’Donnell, who also serves as the holder on field-goal and extra-point attempts, averaged 45 yards per punt last season. His career average is 44.9. He placed 28 kicks inside the 20-yard line, tying a career high. His worst moment came in the playoff loss when he shanked a 36-yard punt in the fourth quarter that gave the Eagles the ball at their own 40 en route to their game-winning touchdown.
♦ Tight end Daniel Brown, who spent the last 2½ seasons with the Bears, signed a one-year deal with the Jets. He finished his Bears career with 29 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown.
♦ The Rams signed quarterback Blake Bortles to a one-year contract to back up Jared Goff. ♦ The Bengals released oft-suspended linebacker Vontaze Burfict after seven seasons. ♦ The Vikings re-signed running back Ameer
Abdullah to a one-year contract. ♦ The Packers re-signed tight end Marcedes
Lewis to a one-year contract. ♦ The Eagles signed safety Andrew Sendejo to a one-year contract. He spent the last eight seasons with the Vikings.
♦ The Redskins signed offensive tackle Ereck
Flowers to a one-year, $4 million contract.