Tracking Bears’ free agency moves so far

The NFL’s new league year began Wednesday, opening the door for free agents to sign with new teams or reach agreements to stay with their current organizations. The Bears were busy over the last few days. Here’s a rundown of their additions — and a few departures.

Saturday

The Bears are re-signing safety and special teams ace DeAndre HoustonCarson on a one-year, $1.77 million deal. HoustonCarson has been the most important player on special teams the last several seasons, and his value only increased when given a chance to play more on defense in 2021. HoustonCarson, 28, finished tied for sixth in tackles (47) despite missing the final four games after suffering a broken arm. He had an interception and scored on a fumble recovery on special teams.

Friday

After the Bears announced they would not be signing defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi because he failed a physical, the team finalized a pair of two-year contract agreements with Al-QuadinMuhammad and Justin Jones. Muhammad, a defensive tackle, has plenty of familiarity with new Bears coach Matt Eberflus, having spent the last four seasons with the Colts. He will turn 27 this month and is coming off a breakout 2021 season in which he had six sacks. ESPN reported Muhammad’s contract is for two years and $10 million. Jones, a thirdround pick in 2018, started 35 games and played in 51 over four seasons with the Chargers. He had 118 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 4 ½ sacks and 13 quarterback hits.

Thursday

The Bears reached agreements on a pair of one-year deals with receivers Byron Pringle and former Green Bay Packer Equanimeous St. Brown.

Pringle, who entered the leagueasanundraftedfree agent four years ago, had a breakout season in 2021 with 42 catches, 568 yards and five touchdowns in the Chiefs’ high-powered passing attack. St. Brown, who entered the league as a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2018, has 37 career catches for 543 yards and one touchdown in three seasons. He missed all of 2019 with an ankle injury.

„ Wide receiver Allen Robinson signed a threeyear deal with the Rams. Robinson’s deal is worth $46.5 million, with $30.7 million fully guaranteed, NFL Network reported. He moves on from Chicago after four seasons with the Bears, in which he had 293 catches for 3,561 yards and 18 touchdowns.

The Packers are signing punter Pat O’Donnell on a two-year, $4 million contract with $1.6 million guaranteed, ESPN reported. He was the Bears punter since 2014, averaging 45.1 yards per punt over eight seasons.