Bears bring back familiar face in guard Larsen

In a move to shore up their offensive line depth, the Bears signed a familiar face in offensive Ted Larsen to a one-year contract Wednesday, the first day of the NFL's new league year.

Larsen, who turns 32 in June, returns for a second stint in Chicago, after appearing in all 16 games with eight starts during the 2016 season. Drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round in 2010, Larsen spent the past two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, starting 21 of a possible 32 games. In his career, the 6-foot-3, 323-pound blocker has logged 86 starts in 125 appearances with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Bears and Dolphins.

Larsen likely is signing for something close to the veteran's minimum around $1.5 million, making the journeyman a logical insurance plan behind oft-injured 30-year-old right guard Kyle Long and second-year left guard James Daniels. With the versatility to line up at any of the three interior spots, not to mention the salty style sure to bring added intensity back to Bourbonnais - where he was a regular instigator three summers ago - Larsen's arrival could signal the departures of free agents Eric Kush and Bryan Witzmann.

Now that the new league year is underway, the Bears' signings of running back Mike Davis, cornerback Buster Skrine and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson will become official, as will the release of place-kicker Cody Parkey with a post-June 1 designation.

• Arthur Arkush is the managing editor for Pro Football Weekly. For more on the NFL, visit profootballweekly.com and follow Arthur on Twitter @arthurarkush or @PFWeekly.