Bears Resign Tillman

The Bears are always referred to as cheap around these parts, but after this offseason, that tag doesn’t really fit anymore. The Bears locked up Charles Tillman on Tuesday to a six year extension worth $38 million, with an $18 signing bonus. Jeez, that kind of bread can buy you a lot of Peanuts. This is the third major resigning by the Bears this offseason, as Tillman joins Lovie Smith and fellow corner Nathan Vasher as major pieces the Bears have decided to keep around for the future.

While Tillman didn’t come cheap, it’s a move the Bears had to make. Sure, they have lots of money tied up in cornerbacks now, remember Ricky Manning Jr. gets some dough too, but Tillman is too good to let walk. The signing is important for a couple reasons. It proves the Bears are going to lock up the homegrown pieces that have made them successful, which makes them look like a classy franchise. The Bears aren’t like the Redskins, they don’t really add big pieces through free agency. But the Bears can draft, especially in later rounds, and rewarding your own players who helped you go to the Super Bowl is more important then bringing in pieces from outside the organization. Don’t forget that Tillman is an outspoken team leader, as well. He’s a little cocky (don’t all corner’s need to be?), and his teammates love him. Resigning him sends a good message to the rest of the team that if you play well and the team is successful, you will be taken care of.

It’s also important because it seems the Bears decision on Lance Briggs has been made. They only have so much money to go around, they decided to use it on the Peanut and Vash Dog, while still keeping money available for Tommie Harris and Grossman, both of whom become free agents after the season. Tommie Harris is probably the Bears second best player, but he’s coming off a major knee injury. If he returns to his old form, and the Bears are going to need that, expect his pay day to come next. Grossman’s new contract is all up to him- do better then last year and lead the team to the same number of victories and he should be Chicago for a long time as well.

Below is the best play of Charles Tillman’s career. It came as a rookie against the Vikings: