Thread: Bears reach an extension!!!!

some good news after a good W

Bears give veteran Garza a two-year extension


Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter 10:54 a.m. CST, November 8, 2011


PHILADELPHIA -- The Chicago Bears had a victory to celebrate in the early-morning hours Tuesday as they departed Lincoln Financial Field, and center Roberto Garza had even more to be excited about.

The veteran offensive lineman, who has made a seamless transition to center to replace 13-year veteran Olin Kreutz, has received a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the club through 2013, sources told the Tribune.

The Bears confirmed the new contract Tuesday in a mid-morning news release.

Garza was one of 15 players on the 53-man roster set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, but the Bears locked him up and made the deal official before Monday’s deadline passed to count bonus money in the contract against this year’s salary cap. The Bears had more than $18 million in salary cap room available before the contract.

It’s not yet known exactly how the deal is structured, but the two-year extension is worth $6.55 million and includes $2.6 million guaranteed. The contract was negotiated by his agent Jeff Griffin, who was not available for comment in the early-morning hours.

“I’m excited to be a part of this organization and continue my career as a Bear,” Garza said.

It made sense for the Bears to go to Garza for a deal. He’s been the most underpaid interior offensive lineman to start in the NFL with his level of experience. Garza assumed the captain role that was held by Kreutz and that was another reason for the club to do right by him. Garza has started 86 of the last 88 regular-season games, missing only two last season after he underwent surgery to repair a torn MCL.

The 32-year-old was last paid in 2006 when he signed a $12.8 million, six-year extension in 2006. That contract included an injury waiver because of concern over Garza’s right knee, which doesn’t have an ACL, and he hadn’t established himself as a starter at the time. Garza triggered $1 million escalators this season and in 2010, making his pay this season $2.74 million.

If I didn't see the news on twitter and facebook, I would of called you a tease Benji, lol. Would of thought of Forte.

I'm really glad they decided to keep Garza around. I was thinking after signing Spencer that Garza would be history after this year. He's done a tremendous job making the transition to OC and Spencer has looked really good at RG Louis has been a stud at RT and we have Carimi coming of his injury. This is the best this line has looked all year and we've finally got a little depth and flexibility of that right side an it shows. Forte has been killing people behind those guys for several games now. Almost all of his big runs have been to the right.

Just a little side note on Garza. The last extension we agreed to left him as the lowest paid OLineman with 10 year or more experience in the entire NFL. This extension gives him a little bump up from where he was but I'm willing to bet he's still close to the bottom of the pile in his compensation.The Bears love players who come cheap.

Who are the other 14 UFAs?

top of my head i can name

roy williams
bennett
forte
izzy
roach
jenning
graham
bowman
steltz

i would further guess our undrafted guys sanzb, reed, and that other DE forgot his name Addison maybe?

two more guys left idk who they are. Im sure though the three udfa are rfa and we can keep then rfa for up to 4 years not 100% sure about it though

*edit add Okoye to the list

Originally Posted by soulman

I'm really glad they decided to keep Garza around. I was thinking after signing Spencer that Garza would be history after this year. He's done a tremendous job making the transition to OC and Spencer has looked really good at RG Louis has been a stud at RT and we have Carimi coming of his injury. This is the best this line has looked all year and we've finally got a little depth and flexibility of that right side an it shows. Forte has been killing people behind those guys for several games now. Almost all of his big runs have been to the right.

Just a little side note on Garza. The last extension we agreed to left him as the lowest paid OLineman with 10 year or more experience in the entire NFL. This extension gives him a little bump up from where he was but I'm willing to bet he's still close to the bottom of the pile in his compensation.The Bears love players who come cheap.

They sure do :)