Bears sign Earl Bennett to 4-year extension
However long it takes Bears quarterback Jay Cutler to return from thumb surgery, his security blanket, wide receiver Earl Bennett, will be ready to assume his role as go-to guy.
Bennett agreed to a four-year, $18 million extension Friday that will keep him with the Bears through the 2015 season. The four-year veteran would have been an unrestricted free agent after this season — and he could have gotten more money on the open market – but he’s convinced he made the correct decision by staying.
“It’s home,” he said. “The organization has been loyal to me when they drafted me (third round in 2008), and I just wanted to be loyal to them. They had the first shot at it. They took advantage of it, and I appreciate it.”
Bennett started slowly this season, catching just 3 passes for 20 yards before he suffered a chest injury early in Week 2. He missed the next five games but then made a grand re-entrance with 14 catches for 251 yards in his first three games back — establishing himself as Cutler’s favorite target, especially on third down. Their relationship goes back to Vanderbilt, when Bennett was a freshman who caught 79 passes for 876 yards and 9 touchdowns in Cutler’s last season with the Commodores.
It’s still uncertain whether Cutler will return this season, but if he does, he’ll be looking for Bennett. Since Week 9 of last season, Bennett has caught 16 passes on third down, and each has resulted in a first down.
“That’s exciting to play with a guy like Jay who continues to get better and better each week,” the 6-foot, 206-pound Bennett said. “I look forward to playing with him once he gets healthy and gets back out on the field. It’s fun to be able to play with a guy who’s a real close friend and continue to work hard, make plays and ultimately help us win the Super Bowl.”
Bennett was second among Bears wide receivers last season with 46 catches for 561 yards, as he was in 2009, when he caught 54 passes for 717 yards after a rookie season in which he played sparingly and did not catch a single pass.
By any other name:It#146;s understandable that the Bears#146; defense doesn#146;t know much about Chiefs quarterback Tyler Palko, a football vagabond who#146;s kicked around the NFL, UFL and CFL for five years since going undrafted out of Pittsburgh in 2007.He#146;s slated to make his third NFL start Sunday at Soldier Field, but ex-Bear Kyle Orton could see some action as well.#147;As far as I#146;m concerned, we#146;re going to see Tyler Palko,#148; linebacker Lance Briggs said Thursday. #147;It is Tyler, right? The lefty? We#146;re getting the lefty.#148;Defensive end Israel Idonije also speculated that #147;the lefty#148; would start, but he wasn#146;t exactly sure of the southpaw#146;s name.#147;Plank something,#148; Idonije said. #147;What#146;s his name? How do you pronounce his name? Palko? Planko?#147;I don#146;t know. But he#146;s athletic. He#146;s an athletic kid. He has the ability to make you pay with his ability to extend plays with his feet. You#146;ve got to make sure you contain him, keep him in the pocket.#148;Health report:Nose tackle Anthony Adams (back) did not practice for the second straight day, while cornerback D.J. Moore (ankle) was a full participant. Both are listed as #147;questionable.#148; Moore might play, but Adams probably won#146;t. The Chiefs listed guard Ryan Lilja (head) and linebacker Demorrio Williams (groin) as #147;questionable#148; and center Casey Wiegmann (finger) as #147;probable.#148;Security measure:Fans attending Sunday#146;s game at Soldier Field may see increased security measures, which could be more time consuming.Initiated by an NFL Security recommendation, fans may be scanned using hand-held metal detectors. The new procedure is being phased in with a goal of eventually replacing the pat-down procedure at all gates. Fans are advised to arrive early and allow for extra time when entering the stadium. Ÿ Follow Bob LeGere#146;s reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.