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Cornerback Prince Amukamara to sign with Chicago Bears

The Bears were unable to corral any of the top three cornerbacks in free agency, but they reportedly have landed one of the better ones from the second tier in Prince Amukamara.

Amukamara has battled injuries throughout his six-year career but has still started 57 games and played well when he's been healthy.

He played in 14 games, including 12 starts with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season on a one-year deal. His first five season were with the New York Giants

The 6-foot, 202-pound veteran was a first-round pick (19th overall) of the Giants in 2011, and he became a starter the following season. Amukamara has started all 16 games just once (2013) but has 10 or more starts in four of the last five seasons.

Although a solid cover corner, the Nebraska product has just 7 career interceptions and has had more than 1 just once, in 2014, ironically when he played in just eight games, all starts.

His parents are natives of Nigeria, and he has five sisters: Princess, Promise, Peace, Precious and Passionate.

Letting go:

Bears G.M. Ryan Pace said there were talks with unrestricted free agent wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who was seeking a multi-year deal. But he signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"We talked about those things behind the scenes with him, and those discussions go back and forth," Pace said. "We knew when we didn't (franchise) tag him that these were scenarios that could happen. We put a value on each player. Right now I wish him the best and Philly the best, but that's what we decided.

"I wouldn't say I was disappointed, no. We talked to Alshon, and it just didn't work out. But we're moving forward."

Saying good-bye:

Three-time Pro Bowler Kyle Long was a big fan of quarterback Jay Cutler, who was released Thursday after eight years with the Bears.

Long posted this after he heard the news about Cutler.

"Name another guy making $100 million who calls their rookie right guard every morning at 6AM to make sure that he's on time for work. Name another quarterback that shows up at your house on an off day just to make sure you're behaving.

"Name a quarterback that will grab you by the collar and pull you out of a brawl in your first game in the NFL. Name a friend honest enough to tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. I have that friend in Jay and will never forget the things he did for me. I learned a lot from you dude. You have a pretty kick ass family, too."

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.

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