After a poor season, Bears release Archuleta

The Chicago Bears released veteran safety Adam Archuleta on Tuesday, parting ways with the former Pro Bowler who was unable to secure a starting spot at the end of last season.

Archuleta appeared in 15 games for the Bears in 2007 with 10 starts at strong safety, ranking eighth on the team with 64 tackles. While he was strong against the run, his deficiency in pass coverage cost him a starting spot later in the season.

To get Archuleta, the Bears gave up a sixth-round pick to Washington and gave Archuleta contract worth $8.1 million over three years, $5 million of which was guaranteed.

Originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the first round (20th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft, the Arizona State product spent his first five NFL seasons with St. Louis, the initial three under the tutelage of then Rams defensive coordinator Lovie Smith, before joining the Washington Redskins in 2006.

The Chandler, Ariz. native has collected 661 tackles while starting 86 of 103 career games played in the NFL with 18 sacks, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries. His 18 sacks are the most by an NFL safety since 2001.