Charles Tillman will return for a 12th season in Chicago.
The Bears and Tillman have reached agreement on a one-year contract, the club said Friday.
One of the toughest and most disruptive cornerbacks of his generation, the 33-year-old Tillman has intercepted 36 passes and forced 42 fumbles since joining Chicago as a second-round pick in 2003. Tillman (6-2, 198) started all eight games in which he played a season ago, recording 41 tackles and picking off three passes.
Off the field, Tillman was selected the 2013 Walter Payton Man of The Year by the NFL in February.
Tillman visited the Buccaneers and former coach Lovie Smith in free agency, but in the end, PFT’s 54th-ranked free agent stayed with the club for whom he’s been such a key player for so long.
Sean Jensen of ThriveSports.com first reported news of Tillman’s pact with Chicago.