Bears give versatile Idonije $7 million, 2 more years

Israel Idonije, the Bears' Mr. Versatility, signed a two-year contract extension for $7 million in new money Friday.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Idonije has been a key backup on the defensive line at end and tackle, in addition to being a valuable contributor on special teams, where he has blocked 4 kicks. The sixth-year veteran was due to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2009 season.

His base salary for this season is $1.75 million, but he receives a $2 million guaranteed bonus as part of his new deal, which calls for a $2.5 million base salary in 2010, $1 million of which is guaranteed. He also has a base salary of $2.5 million for 2011, although it is not guaranteed.

"It's a pleasant surprise to get something done early," the 28-year-old Idonije said on the Bears' Web site. "When you dream about how the picture would unfold going into the last year of your contract, this is the ideal situation. It's perfect to get the deal done.

"I love Chicago, and I wanted to stay and continue to grow and develop here."

Idonije had a career-best 281/2 tackles last season and was fourth on the Bears with 31/2 sacks, as he bulked up to 297 pounds because the team wanted him to play tackle. But he has dropped about 30 pounds this off-season because the Bears want him to focus on end this year.

"I have a role here that's been defined," he said. "When you go to a new team, you never know what's going to happen. When you start over, there's always a level of unknown. Here I know the system and my teammates. It's great to be able to stay here at home. This is home for me."

Idonije was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but learned to play football after moving to Canada. He was signed in 2003 by the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Manitoba University but picked up by the Bears later that season.

In a post to his Twitter account, Idonije's agent, Drew Rosenhaus said: "It was a smooth negotiation with the Bears, and hopefully we can have the same type of success with Israel's teammate Adewale Ogunleye."

Ogunleye, the Bears' starting defensive left end, may cost the Bears a lot more, but only if he can recapture the form that produced 10 sacks in 2005 and 15 in 2003. His six-year, $33.4 million deal expires after the 2009 season. But Ogunleye, who will turn 32 during training camp, had only 5 sacks last season and has just 251/2 sacks in the previous four years combined.

The Bears also signed seven draft picks Friday to four-year contracts, including defensive end Henry Melton and cornerback D.J. Moore, their fourth-round picks. Also agreeing to terms were: wide receiver Johnny Knox and linebacker Marcus Freeman, both fifth-round picks; sixth-round safety Al Afalava; and both seventh-rounders, offensive lineman Lance Louis and wide receiver Derek Kinder.

The Bears' top two draft picks remain unsigned - third-rounders defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert and wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias.

The total of the base salaries for each of the seven contracts is $1.75 million, which includes league minimum salaries of $310,000 in 2009, $395,000 in 2010, $480,000 in 2011 and $565,000 in 2012, but does not include signing bonuses.

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