The Chicago Bears are expected to sign linebacker Nicholas Morrow to pair alongside Roquan Smith in Matt Eberflus’ defense. It’s the second defensive move made by general manager Ryan Poles in free agency.
Morrow, an undrafted free agent in 2017, spent his first five seasons with the Raiders, where he worked his way up the depth chart. Now, Morrow lands in Chicago, where he projects to be a starter alongside Roquan Smith at linebacker.
Details of Morrow’s contract have emerged, and it’s a reasonable deal. Morrow gets a one-year deal with a base value of $3 million with $2.5 million guaranteed, according to Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger. According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Morrow’s deal has a value up to $5 million.
Spielberger also broke it down further as he gets a $1.25 million signing bonus and $1.25 million fully guaranteed base salary, $500,000 in per game roster bonuses and up to $2 million in playtime incentives.
New Bears LB Nicholas Morrow's one-year deal with Chicago has a base value of $3M with $2.5M fully gtd
$1.25M signing bonus & $1.25M fully gtd base salary, $500K in per game roster bonuses (won't count on the 2022 cap to start the year)
Up to $2M in playtime incentives
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) March 16, 2022
In 2020, Morrow had career highs in total tackles (78), tackles for loss (eight), sacks (three) and QB hits (six). But he was unable to build on that success after suffering a foot injury in the preseason that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2021 season.
The Bears will likely continue to add at the linebacker position in free agency and the NFL draft. But Morrow has the potential to serve as a starter alongside Smith in a one-year prove-it deal that could earn him a long-term extension.
Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
