Bears notebook: CB Prince Amukamara back: ‘Something about here felt like home’

Cornerback Prince Amukamara was so intent on returning to the Bears that he told his agent he “didn’t want to hear from any other teams unless it was Chicago.” So signing a three-year, $27 million contract with the Bears was a no-brainer after playing on one-year contracts with the Jaguars and Bears the last two seasons.

“There’s just something about here that felt like home,” said Amukamara, who had no interceptions and seven pass break-ups with the Bears in 2017 but still had a solid season as a starting cornerback on a top-10 defense. “It had to do with a lot of the guys and what we had going last year. Just really wanted to finish this thing out.

“And I think the fact that the chance of Kyle [Fuller] staying here helped that, too. I think we work pretty well together.”

Amukamara said defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s return was a “huge” factor in his desire to stay.

“I really love his defense,” Amukamara said. “I love the mastermind that Vic is. He’s probably one of the most detailed defensive coordinators I’ve ever [played for]. It just feels like he calls the right play every down. That’s probably an exaggeration, but it’s very, very rare that you see that. He puts us in the best position to be successful. As a cornerback, you really like that.”

Ex-49er Lynch signed

In need of outside linebackers, the Bears signed former 49ers edge rusher Aaron Lynch to a one-year deal. A fifth-round pick in 2014, he had six sacks as a rookie while playing under Fangio. He had 6.5 the next year but has played only seven games in each of the last two years.

O’Donnell to return

Punter Pat O’Donnell is returning to the Bears on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, a source confirmed. Drafted by the Bears in the sixth round in 2014, O’Donnell had a career-best 47 yards per punt and even threw a 38-yard touchdown pass last year.

Pace still like Sims

General manager Ryan Pace indicated tight end Dion Sims would return even with free agent Trey Burton in the fold. Sims is owed $4 million if he’s on the roster Friday.

“We like Dion Sims, a well-rounded tight end,” Pace said. “We’re excited we’ve got him.”

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Email: mpotash@suntimes.com