Agent doesn't see Bears in mix for CFL star

The agent for Canadian Football League running back Joe Smith said the Bears are not one of the teams in the mix for his services.

To be honest, no, Harold Lewis told the Sun-Times Saturday morning when asked if the Bears had extended a contract offer to Smith, who has set records with the British Columbia Lions. We dont have an offer from the Bears. We have a lot of interest from a lot of teams around the league. There are about four or five teams interested in signing Joe.

Were going to make a move with somebody. We dont know who yet. Weve gotten quite bit of interest from a few East Coast teams, and some teams that are going through coaching changes, but I have not had dialogue with the Bears.

The Metro News of Toronto reported that the Bears and New York Jets had offered contracts to Smith, who has a window that extends into next month to get out of his contract and return to the NFL. He set a Lions franchise record with 1,510 yards this past season, scoring 18 touchdowns.

Smith, 6-1, 224 pounds, originally was an undrafted free agent from Louisiana Tech who spent nearly a full season on Jacksonvilles practice squad. The 27-year-old has also spent time with Tampa Bay and Tennessee before landing in the CFL.