After reworking his contract to free up salary-cap space for the team this offseason, guard Kyle Long will return to the Bears next season.
“Bear for Life,” Long said on Twitter on Tuesday morning.
Long, 30, was slated to have an $8.5 million cap hit in 2019, the result of a four-year, $40 million extension he signed on the eve of the 2016 season.
The Bears needed cap space but weren’t willing to part with Long. The Bears still believe in him, while he remains committed to them. Long’s new deal provides the team with more financial flexibility.
A first-round pick in 2013, Long has spent the last three seasons battling various injuries, starting only 25 games. He suffered a right foot injury last season that cost him nine weeks. But he returned for the Bears’ season finale and also played in the playoffs against the Eagles.
Bear for Life
— Kyle Long (@Ky1eLong) February 26, 2019
Long’s reworked deal means that all five of the Bears’ offensive line starters are set to return in 2019.
The Bears re-signed right tackle Bobby Massie in January and could give center Cody Whitehair an extension soon.
