The Bears secured the crown jewel of their 2021 draft class by agreeing to a four-year contract with quarterback Justin Fields, NFL Network reported.
Fields will get the exact deal that was expected based on being the No. 11 pick — the NFL predetermines a range based on where a player is selected — with $18.9 million overall and $11.1 million in a signing bonus.
The Bears currently have him second on their depth chart to starter Andy Dalton and plan to have him take over by the start of the 2022 season.
In order to finalize Fields’ contract, as well as sign second-round offensive tackle Teven Jenkins, the Bears might need at least one salary-cap maneuver to fit their hits for this season.
Jenkins is the only draft pick they haven’t signed. Spotrac projects him to get a four-year, $8.4 million contract.
The Bears signed fifth-round offensive lineman Larry Borom, sixth-round running back Khalil Herbert, sixth-round wide receiver Dazz Newsome, sixth-round cornerback Thomas Graham and seventh-round defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga to four-year contracts last week.
