Bears add mentor for Mitch
The Bears found Mitch Trubisky a mentor who knows new coach Matt Nagy’s offense.
Chase Daniel, who played for Nagy on the Chiefs and under general manager Ryan Pace on the Saints, agreed Wednesday to a twoyear deal worth a reported $ 7 million guaranteed and $ 10 million overall.
In eight seasons, during which he has made $ 24 million, the Missouri alum has started only two games. The Bears hope Daniel, who turns 32 in October, can be a sounding board for their second- year quarterback. His knowledge of Nagy’s system — he played for the Chiefs from 2013 to ’ 15 before joining the Eagles — should help Trubisky understand it faster.
Daniel spent last season backing up Drew Brees on the Saints, where he also spent the first three years of his career.
“He’s a great quarterback to have in the room,” Brees, who trains with Daniel in San Diego, told New Or- leans reporters. “We had a great relationship, there were a lot of things that I would come to the sideline and ask his opinion about. He was always a great sounding board for me.”
Acho returns
Outside linebacker Sam Acho got a note from a former coach with congratulations — after playing on so many one- year prove- it deals, he had proved himself.
Still, Acho doesn’t consider his deal — worth $ 3 million guaranteed and $ 7.5 million overall over two years — a multiyear contract. Because the second year isn’t guaranteed, he won’t let himself relax.
“I’ll say this,” he said. “It’s better than a minimum [ deal].”
Acho said he didn’t pay attention to the Bears’ free- agent moves the last two days. Along with chairman George McCaskey and Willow Creek Community Church, he toured the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana, and discussed prison reform.
Acho said his agent encouraged him to chat with McCaskey and tell him he was receiving interest from the Seahawks, Texans and Rams, but Acho refused. He knew the chairman doesn’t get involved in contract negotiations.
The Bears’ front office then called Acho in Louisiana and upped their offer.
This and that
New kicker Cody Parkey will receive a four- year contract with $ 9 million guaranteed and $ 15 million overall, sources confirmed. Tight end Trey Burton’s fouryear, $ 32 million contract will have a reported $ 18 million guaranteed. If the Bears are going to cut tight end Dion Sims after signing Burton, it figures to happen by Friday. He’s owed $ 4 million of his $ 6 million salary for 2018 if he’s on the roster on the third day of the league season. Former Bears defensive end Mitch Unrein is signing with Buccaneers.