Ex-Bear Edinger signs with AFL Rush

Former Chicago Bears kicker Paul Edinger has signed to a three-year contract with the Chicago Rush, team officials announced Monday.

Edinger joined the Rush Sunday in time to travel with the team to Ohio for this week's practices and scrimmage against the Columbus Destroyers.

"Paul was impressive when he worked out for us last week at Allstate Arena," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "We felt that by signing him we would have two solid kickers in camp (along with Dan Frantz), which will only make our team stronger as we head into the season. I look forward to seeing what he can do when we practice against the Destroyers this week."

Edinger (5-foot-8, 175 pounds from Michigan State) originally was drafted by the Bears in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft. He spent five seasons (2000-2004) in a Bears uniform, converting all 133 of his career PAT attempts and 110 of 146 field goal attempts - including 13 of 19 from beyond 50 yards.

In 2005, Edinger signed with the Minnesota Vikings and hit on 31 of 31 extra points and 25 of 34 field goals - including a career high 56-yarder to beat the Packers.

He has been out of football since the end of the 2005 season.