Bears sign Bennett to extention

Post #1 » by **emperorjones** » Sat Dec 3, 2011 6:08 am

http://mobile.chicagotribune.com/p.p?m= ... 26DPL%3D10

By Vaughn McClure , Chicago Tribune reporter
Fri Dec 2 2011 7:45 PM
When Bears receiver Earl Bennett considered wearing orange cleats for a third consecutive week, he mentioned how money wasn't an issue despite the $15,000 worth of fines he had incurred.

Bennett apparently knew his big payday was coming.

The fourth-year player cashed in Friday, signing a four-year, $18 million extension with $9 million guaranteed, including a $6 million signing bonus, a league source confirmed.

The Bears now have their most polished receiver locked up through 2015.

"Good to see a guy like him get rewarded for his time here," quarterback Caleb Hanie said of Bennett. "The best has yet to come for him, though."

Bennett said his agent, C.J. Laboy, and the Bears had been negotiating for a few months.

"For them to get something done in a short period of time, it says a lot about the organization (and) how much they care about us," Bennett said.

General manager Jerry Angelo said earlier this season that the Bears would reward their own as the team sat $18 million below the cap. The process of keeping players in the fold started with center Roberto Garza signing a two-year deal potentially worth $6.5 million with $2.6 million guaranteed.

Bennett apparently never pondered hitting the open market after the season.

"It's home, man," Bennett said of Chicago. "The organization has been loyal to me. I just wanted to be loyal to them. … They had the first shot at it, and they took advantage of it. And I appreciate it."

Now the Bears can set their sights on securing some of the 13 players who will become unrestricted free agents after the season, with running back Matt Forte topping the list. Corey Graham, Israel Idonije and Tim Jennings also are in line.

"Chicago is where I would like to continue to get better, have much success and win a lot of ball games," Jennings said.

Bennett secured his new contract despite playing in just six of the first 11 games. The receiver suffered a serious chest injury against the Saints in Week 2, sidelining him five games.

He enters Sunday's matchup versus the Chiefs at Soldier Field with 18 catches for 276 yards and a touchdown.

"Earl is very talented … reliable, tough (and) football savvy," Hanie said. "He's a great locker room guy as well. He doesn't take himself too seriously.''

The orange cleats can vouch for that.

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Twitter @vxmcclure23

Chewie · Post #2 » by **Chewie** » Sat Dec 3, 2011 1:14 pm

He's clearly our best receiver (which isn't saying much) but that sounds like a lot to me esp when you compare it to Jordy Nelson's recently signed deal for $13m over 3 years of which $5m is guaranteed.

panthermark · Post #3 » by **panthermark** » Sat Dec 3, 2011 10:19 pm

I like Bennett...but that was too much. Now...what about Forte there Angelo?

Post #4 » by **Nolan** » Sun Dec 4, 2011 5:35 am

I'm a big fan of Bennett but that just too much for him. Also extend Forte already you ****'s.

VoiceofReason · Post #5 » by **VoiceofReason** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:23 am

That's an awful lot of money for a possession receiver. smh

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #6 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 1:51 pm

VoiceofReason wrote:That's an awful lot of money for a possession receiver. smh

I believe that he was on his way to evolving into more than that until Cutler's injury.

This board (and Cutler) has been begging for a big & talented receiver since Cutler was traded here. Hopefully, we finally get one this off-season to pair with Bennett. I could be happy with:

Big & talented receiver on one side
Bennett on the other side
Knox/Hester in the slot

Brandon Marshall should have been target #1 after we got Cutler.