Earlier this morning, the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer reported the Chicago Bears intended to re-sign a couple of special teamers, and shortly thereafter, the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported they were re-signing linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga to a two-year, $5 million deal.
Ogbongbemiga’s deal comes on the heels of Josh Blackwell being re-upped for two years, and a day after it was reported that exclusive rights free agent Daniel Hardy would be tendered an offer.
For those scoring at home, the Bears are returning their top three special teams’ tacklers from a season ago in linebackers Ogbongbemiga and Hardy, who had 11 tackles each, and Blackwell, whose seven tackles was tied for next most.
I would imagine special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, who was one of the few coaches retained by new head coach Ben Johnson, had some say in these three core third-phase performers staying in Chicago.