Bears sign WR Eddie Royal to three-year deal
The Chicago Bears have signed wide receiver Eddie Royal to a three-year contract, the team announced Thursday.
USA Today's Tom Pelissero reported Royal's deal is worth up to $15 million, with $10 million fully guaranteed in the first two years.
Royal, a seven-year veteran, began his career with the Broncos, recording a career-best 91 catches for 980 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie with Jay Cutler, then-Denver quarterback and now Royal's Chicago teammate, as his quarterback.
Royal has familiarity with new Bears head coach John Fox, new offensive coordinator Adam Gase and Cutler from his time in Denver, from 2008-2011. Fox coached Royal in 2011, the coach's first year in Denver. Gase was Denver's wide receivers coach from 2009-2010, and became the team's quarterbacks coach in 2011.
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Last season, while manning the slot in his third year in San Diego, Royal enjoyed his best year since 2008, with 62 catches for 778 yards and a career-best seven touchdowns.
For his career, Royal has totaled 338 passes for 3,750 yards and 25 touchdowns. As a returner, he's averaged 10.6 yards with two TDs on punts and 24.1 yards with one TD on kickoffs.
With the new coaching staff in place, Chicago has been active in free agency thus far, also inking safety AntrelRolle and linebacker PernellMcPhee to multi-year deals.
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