Bears sign former Vikings lineman Dozier

The Bears added to their offensive line Wednesday, signing free agent guard Dakota Dozier to a one-year contract. Dozier, 30, has appeared in 76 career games, including 27 starts, over seven NFL seasons. He played the past three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

At 6-foot-4, 312 pounds, Dozier will give the Bears some needed depth on an offensive line that has seen a number of players leave in free agency. Dozier spent his first four NFL seasons with the New York Jets after they selected him with a 2014 fourth-round draft pick.

Last season in Minnesota, Dozier appeared in six games, playing exclusively on special teams. A year earlier in 2020, Dozier started all 16 games at left guard and played every offensive snap the entire season. Prior to 2020, he was primarily a backup who earned some spot starts here and there.

With former Bears starting right guard James Daniels leaving via free agency for Pittsburgh, the team has an opening for a starting guard. While Dozier might not be an ideal NFL starter - there's a reason he was relegated to special teams in 2021 - he could probably fill the void if needed.

Bush to Kansas City:

Longtime Bears safety Deon Bush is leaving Chicago after six seasons. Bush, 28, is heading to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Bears drafted Bush with a fourth-round pick in 2016. He appeared in 79 regular season games with the team over six years, making 12 starts. He totaled 89 combined tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes defended over his Bears career. Last season, he appeared in 14 games, making four starts.

He heads to a Chiefs team that is re-imagining its safety position. The Chiefs let Tyrann Mathieu walk in free agency and elected to sign free agent safety Justin Reid to a three-year, $31.5 million contract. Bush has proved he can be a solid backup safety in the NFL.