Eddie Royal and Jay Cutler are apparently set to reunite in the Windy City.
According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Royal informed the San Diego Chargers of his intention to sign with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday night.
Royal was in Chicago for a visit with the Bears and decided he wanted to stay. Considering Royal’s best season as a pro came with Cutler as his quarterback in Denver in 2008, the decision is certainly understandable.
With Cutler throwing him passes, Royal set career highs with 91 catches for 980 yards with the Broncos in 2008. Cutler was subsequently dealt to Chicago the following offseason and Royal’s production has never matched his lofty rookie production.
Royal did have one of his best seasons with the Chargers in 2014. He caught 62 balls for 778 yards and seven touchdowns on the year. All three marks were the second-highest totals of his career. Royal caught 15 touchdowns for San Diego over the last two seasons.
The familiarity with Cutler should allow Royal to integrate more easily into the Bears offense. With the trade of Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets leaving a hole at the receiver position, the signing of Royal will help supplement Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett in the passing game.
UPDATE 12:30 a.m. ET: The Bears have officially announced the signings of Eddie Royal and safety Antrel Rolle. Both players have signed three-year deals with the team.