Just one day after signing linebacker Danny Trevathan to a three-year extension, the Chicago Bears look to have secured another key defensive player for 2020.
The Bears have tendered restricted free agent defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris to a one-year contact, the team announced Friday.
Robertson-Harris has the option to sign an offer sheet with another NFL team. But Chicago could match the offer.
#Bears roster update:
We have tendered Restricted Free Agent DE Roy Robertson-Harris.— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) March 13, 2020
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, it’s believed to be a second-round tender, which means Robertson-Harris would make $3.4 million this season.
This would make it unlikely that another team would try to pry Robertson-Harris away from the Bears. Not only would Chicago have the right of first refusal, but they would receive a second-round pick if they declined to match a contract.
The Bears were likely motivated to go above the original tender level, which would have cost about $2.2 million, a significant savings. However, because Robertson-Harris was an undrafted free agent, the Bears would only have right of first refusal on an offer sheet at the original round level and the still improving and versatile defender would have received considerable interest from other teams.
Robertson-Harris has proven to be a valuable member of Chicago’s defense. He registered 2.5 sacks, 30 tackles and 16 quarterback pressures in 15 games for the Bears in 2019. Robertson-Harris added three sacks and 16 quarterback pressures in 2018.
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