The Chicago Bears have picked up another free agent, but they’re likely to lose one of their own.
Running back Marion Barber, formerly of the Cowboys, has signed a two-year deal with the Bears, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported, and the Bears have now announced. Barber was released by the Cowboys this week after six seasons in Dallas. He’s coming off a 2010 season in which he had a career-low 374 rushing yards and a career-low 3.3 yards a carry.
PFT has learned that Barber’s deal with the Bears is a two-year, $5 million contract.
But while the Bears add Barber, they may be losing veteran center Olin Kreutz. Kreutz’s agent, Mark Bartlestein, said it’s not looking good for his client to remain in Chicago.
“He’s always wanted to make a deal with the Bears. But right now, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen,” Bartlestein told ESPN.com.
Those quotes could be designed to spur the Bears to up their offer. But they also may be an indication that the Bears are going to have to find a new center because they’re about to lose the one who has started the last 134 games.