The Bears are bringing back defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris, tendering the restricted free agent a contract Friday.
NFL teams have the right of first refusal on restricted free agents. The Bears gave him a second-round tender, sources said, meaning that any team that would want to sign Robertson-Harris would have to give the Bears second-round pick to do so. That won’t happen, which means Robertson-Harris is set to return on a $3.3 million deal.
The move was a no-brainer for the team. Robertson-Harris had 2 1⁄2 sacks and 30 tackles in 15 games, seven starts, last season. He has 7 1⁄2 sacks and 65 tackles in three seasons.
He rejoins one of the league’s best defensive lines — alongside starters Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Bilal Nichols.
The NFL’s free agent period is, at least for now, expected to begin next week. The legal tampering period is slated to start Monday and free agency begins Wednesday.
