Report: Bears to sign punter for $10 million
According to several published reports, the Bears have agreed to terms with punter Adam Podlesh on a contract worth $10 million over five years, which would make him one of the five highest-paid punters in the NFL.
The 27-year-old Podlesh, who played his first five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was a Pro Bowl alternate last season. He replaces Brad Maynard, who was informed earlier in the week that, after 10 seasons in Chicago, he was not in the Bears' plans for the future. The Bears also have first-year punter Richmond McGee in camp.
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, using unnamed sources, was the first to report the signing.
Podlesh's gross average was a career-best 43.8 yards per punt last season, and he landed 26 (45.6 percent) of his kicks inside the 20-yard line. In four seasons with the Jaguars, the Maryland product averaged 42.6 yards.
Maynard's gross average last season was 40.1 yards, which was the second-lowest of his 14-year career. Maynard's net average of 35.2 yards last season was his lowest in the past seven seasons. Podlesh also produced a career-best net average of 39.2 yards last season and has a career net average of 37.8 yards, compared to Maynard's 36.4.
As with all free agents, Podlesh cannot officially sign with the Bears until Friday, and he is not allowed to practice until Aug. 4.