The Bears worked out a contract extension Thursday, but not with defensive end Montez Sweat or cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Nose tackle Andrew Billings, who has been one of the Bears’ steadiest players since the team signed him this offseason, agreed to a two-year extension worth $6 million guaranteed and $8.5 million overall. He’ll be under contract through 2025.
“It’s really special, man,” Billings said. “This is Year 8 for me, so just being able to settle down, it feels great. It’s something I’ve been working for my whole career.”
A fourth-round pick out of Baylor in 2016, the 28-year-old missed his rookie season with the Bengals because of a knee injury and 2020 because of a COVID-19 opt-out. He spent 2021 with the Browns and last year with the Raiders.
It’s hard to measure interior defensive linemen with statistics, but the Bears have praised his play all season. He has anchored a run defense that is allowing a league-low 3.3 yards per carry.
“I’m really excited about it, and the team is, too,” defensive line coach Travis Smith said.
General manager Ryan Poles also is trying to negotiate an extension with Sweat, whom he acquired Tuesday. Johnson’s camp had negotiated for a new deal with Poles until Monday, when they, unsuccessfully, asked for a trade.
Amazingly, Billings’ deal is only the second multiyear extension Poles has given out since taking over in 2022. Tight end Cole Kmet got one during training camp.
Sanborn to middle
The Bears are preparing to move Jack Sanborn from strong-side linebacker to middle linebacker Sunday against the Saints with Tremaine Edmunds out with a knee injury. The Bears’ most expensive free-agent addition of the offseason missed practice for the second straight day Thursday.
Edmunds hurt his right knee when it was hit by teammate Gervon Dexter’s helmet at the end of a play in the third quarter Sunday against the Chargers. In the initial few seconds after the play, the Bears feared the injury could be season-ending.
“We’re all fortunate it wasn’t more than it was,” linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi said Thursday.
Edmunds returned to the game but isn’t expected to go Sunday. The Bears’ strong-side linebacker doesn’t play in nickel or dime coverage. On run downs, the Bears figure to turn to rookie Noah Sewell on the strong side.
Scouting report
Bears cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke has a good scouting report on Saints quarterback Derek Carr — he has known him since he was a freshman in high school.
When Kyle Hoke, Jon’s son, was injured as the quarterback at Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, he was replaced by Carr. Kyle Hoke eventually switched to defense.
“I thought the coach made a very good decision on that,” Hoke said with a smirk.
Jon Hoke was coaching the Texans, where Carr’s older brother David played quarterback from 2002 to 2006. Kyle Hoke is now the safeties coach at San Diego State under his uncle Brady.
This and that
Left tackle Braxton Jones was a limited practice participant as he works his way back from an injured-reserve stint because of a neck problem. His replacement since Week 3, Larry Borom, was out for personal reasons.
† Quarterback Justin Fields (dislocated thumb) and guard Nate Davis (high ankle sprain), both of whom will miss Sunday’s game, did not practice. Neither did safety Jaquan Brisker, who has been in the concussion protocol since Monday.
† Center Lucas Patrick didn’t practice Wednesday because of a back problem but was a full participant Thursday. Tight end Marcedes Lewis had a rest day.
