On the second day of free agency, the Packers re-signed outside linebacker / defensive end Mike Neal to a two-year deal.
However, before he re-signed, Neal reportedly got a job offer from Green Bay’s oldest rival.
In a story published Friday, Neal told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune that the Bears had attempted to sign him in free agency.
“In the long run, their offer, it wasn’t a bad deal,” Neal said, according to the Tribune. “The option for me to come back here was better, in my opinion. I felt like this was a system that if I was kept in the same position, I could flourish in.”
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Neal might have been able to play both inside and outside in Chicago’s 4-3 defense. Instead, he’ll continue to be a key front seven player in Green Bay’s 3-4 scheme. Because of his versatility and youth — he turns 27 in June — Neal garnered the No. 38 spot in PFT’s Free Agent Hot 100.
The Bears did add one former Packers defender in free agency, signing safety M.D. Jennings, who was not tendered as a restricted free agent by Green Bay.