Bears reward top special teams standouts with a 2-year extensions that keeps them off the free agent market
The Chicago Bears are rewarding some of their own before the free agency action kicks off next week by bringing back a few core special teamers.The Bears have agreed to a 2-year deal worth up to $6 million with defensive back Josh Blackwell, a deal that will make him one of the highest-paid special teamers. […]
The Chicago Bears are rewarding some of their own before the free agency action kicks off next week by bringing back a few core special teamers.
The Bears have agreed to a 2-year deal worth up to $6 million with defensive back Josh Blackwell, a deal that will make him one of the highest-paid special teamers. On top of that, linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga was given a 2-year, $5 million deal.
Both players were set to hit free agency next week, instead, the new deals keep both players tied to Chicago.
The Bears have been really impressed with Blackwell's value, both on special teams and as a reserve slot cornerback behind Kyler Gordon. This move was likely heavily suggested by Richard Hightower, who was retained as the special teams coordinator under Ben Johnson's staff. It also means that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen sees value in having him back as a backup in the secondary.
And the Bears made this move at the right time. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Blackwell was expected to have multiple teams lining up for his services if he hit the open market.
“Blackwell has versatility on special teams and as a backup slot cornerback,” Biggs wrote. “Teams were circling last summer to see if he might be available.”
Blackwell played in all 17 games logging 102 defensive snaps and 286 special teams snaps in 2024. He's been with the team since being claimed in 2022.
Blackwell's 2024 season ended in highlight fashion after executing a trick punt return to perfection, returning the ball back for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the season finale. The return TD earned Blackwell Special Teams Player of the Week honors to close out the season.
As for Ogbongbemiga, the Bears signed him last offseason in free agency to add some depth in the linebacker room and have an experienced player on special teams.
Ogbongbemiga appeared in all 17 games for the Bears logging 366 special teams snaps in 2024.
Blackwell and Ogbongbemiga aren't the only special team standouts being brought back onto Hightower's special teams unit. The Bears also placed a tender on defensive lineman Daniel Hardy, who played 370 special teams snaps for the Bears in 2024. Hardy was previously set to be a ERFA.
It's great to see the Bears reward these type of guys and bring them back. These are core players on special teams who made considerable impacts last season.
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