Bears Busy On First Day Of Free Agency

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Mar 12, 2014 6:15PM

The Bears wasted little time on Tuesday with the task of reshaping their defense and signed a number of free agents while bidding adieu to one of their biggest names.

The Bears kicked off their free agency business by signing Oakland defensive end Lamarr Houston. Houston, 26, signed a five-year, $35 million with about $15 million guaranteed. He is coming off his best season with career highs in tackles (69), sacks (six) and forced fumbles (two) and is considered the top defensive end available behind the Bengals' Michael Johnson.

The Bears re-signed linebacker D.J. Williams to a one-year deal, where he's expected to compete with second year player Jon Bostic for starting middle linebacker. To bolster their depth on defense and special teams, the Bears signed a one-year deal with Jordan Senn from the Panthers. A special teams specialist, Senn captained Carolina's special teams squad last year.

The Bears shored up their other glaring defensive weakness and agreed to a two-year deal with safety Ryan Mundy. The former Steeler and Giant is expected to add depth in the secondary, although the Bears are likely still looking for higher quality safeties who would be upgrades in the starting line-up.

But the biggest news out of Halas Hall on Tuesday was the Bears cutting eight-time Pro Bowler Julius Peppers. The most coveted free agent on the market when Chicago signed him four years ago, the aging star was a casualty of his large salary and declining production; Peppers recorded 7.5 sacks, 46 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and an interception in 2013. He registered 38 sacks in his four seasons with the Bears.

Had Chicago kept Peppers, he would have counted for almost $18 million of the Bears' cap. By releasing him, the team saved about $10 million in cap hit that can be allocated to filling their numerous needs on defense and/or keeping Josh McCown as Jay Cutler's insurance policy.