DLee25
Mar 20th 2007, 6:31 pm
ESPN.com Reports:
Lovie Smith has been trying to get safety Adam Archuleta since he arrived in Chicago. Smith was Archuleta's defensive coordinator in St. Louis.
Adam Archuleta
Archuleta
On Tuesday, the Bears completed a trade that brings the Redskins safety to Smith and the Bears. The Bears gave up a 2007 draft choice, believed to be a sixth-round choice.
Archuleta struggled in his first season with the Redskins in 2006 and was scheduled to be a backup this season in Washington.
To complete this complicated deal, the Bears had to rework his contract. Archuleta had a guaranteed $5 million option bonus that was due last week. With hopes of getting a trade, Archuleta delayed the execution of that option bonus until Wednesday.
Faced with the deadline, everyone worked on getting a deal done. The Bears will pay Archuleta $8.1 million over the next three years. The Redskins rid themselves of his $25 million contract. A total of $5 million of Archuleta's new deal in Chicago is guaranteed.
The Bears were looking for a playmaker at the safety position. Smith created defenses involving Archuleta when they were in St. Louis. In Chicago, Archuleta will have more opportunities to make plays at the line of scrimmage.
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.
Lovie Smith has been trying to get safety Adam Archuleta since he arrived in Chicago. Smith was Archuleta's defensive coordinator in St. Louis.
Adam Archuleta
Archuleta
On Tuesday, the Bears completed a trade that brings the Redskins safety to Smith and the Bears. The Bears gave up a 2007 draft choice, believed to be a sixth-round choice.
Archuleta struggled in his first season with the Redskins in 2006 and was scheduled to be a backup this season in Washington.
To complete this complicated deal, the Bears had to rework his contract. Archuleta had a guaranteed $5 million option bonus that was due last week. With hopes of getting a trade, Archuleta delayed the execution of that option bonus until Wednesday.
Faced with the deadline, everyone worked on getting a deal done. The Bears will pay Archuleta $8.1 million over the next three years. The Redskins rid themselves of his $25 million contract. A total of $5 million of Archuleta's new deal in Chicago is guaranteed.
The Bears were looking for a playmaker at the safety position. Smith created defenses involving Archuleta when they were in St. Louis. In Chicago, Archuleta will have more opportunities to make plays at the line of scrimmage.
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.