Bears re-sign CB Hayden
The Bears re-signed cornerback Kelvin Hayden to a one-year contract Tuesday, the fifth of their own free agents they have brought back since free agency began March 12.
The 6-foot, 195-pound Hayden became the regular nickel back midway through last season, his first with the Bears, and he is expected to fill that role in 2013.
He also started two games late in the season when Tim Jennings was sidelined with a shoulder injury and finished with 40 tackles (26 solo), 1 interception and 3 pass breakups.
Hayden, who will be 30 in July, has started 49 games and played in 101 for the Indianapolis Colts (2005-10) and the Atlanta Falcons (2011) in addition to the Bears.
After graduating from Hubbard High School in Chicago, he was drafted in the second round (60th overall) out of Illinois by the Colts in 2005. In Super Bowl XLI, against the Bears, he returned a Rex Grossman interception 56 yards for a touchdown in the Colts’ 29-17 victory.
Hayden has totaled 345 career tackles, 12 interceptions, 3 of which he returned for touchdowns, 44 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles and 6 fumble recoveries.
Earlier the Bears re-signed defensive tackles Henry Melton and Nate Collins, offensive tackle Jonathan Scott and cornerback Zack Bowman.