Tait officially retired

The Bears and 10-year veteran John Tait made it official late Thursday afternoon when the team moved the 34-year-old offensive tackle from the active roster to the reserve/retired list.

Tait had informed the Bears of his intention to retire several weeks ago, even though he had one year and $4.8 million left on his six-year, $33 million contract.

The 6-foot-6, 312-pounder started all 16 games at right tackle in 2008 despite a painful ankle injury that hampered him for much of the season.

Tait missed just five starts in his five-year Bears career that began after he was signed away from Kansas City as a restricted free agent in 2004.

Tait originally was a first-round draft pick (No. 14 overall) of the Chiefs in 1999 out of BYU. Though he never was voted to a Pro Bowl, Tait became a starter in his rookie season and was considered a quality starter throughout his career, at left and right tackle.

Also Thursday the Bears signed exclusive-rights free agent cornerback Marcus Hamilton to a one-year contract.

Hamilton was claimed by the Bears off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 23 and played in eight games as an extra defensive back and on special teams.

The 5-foot-11, 188-pound Hamilton was drafted by the Bucs in the seventh round in 2007 out of Virginia and spent the season on their practice squad.

He started last season on the Bucs' practice squad, was promoted to the 53-man roster, and played in one game before he was waived Sept. 19.