Signing the Rooks

The Bears had 9 draft picks this year, and they have already signed 7 of them. The only unsigned players are 1st rounder TE Greg Olsen, and 2nd rounder DE Dan Buzuin.

Last year, the Bears were the first NFL team to get all their draft picks signed, and they are well on their way to accomplishing that again.

Olsen will be the toughest sign, not because he wants a lot of money, but 1st rounders are always tricky. Nobody wants to be the first one to sign and risk signing a contract for less than what they could have made had someone around them signed for more money. It's all about slotting for the first round draft picks. If pick 15 signs for x amount, then picks 14 and 16 almost have their contracts done becuase they are going to be right above and right below, respectively, what the 15th pick made.

The other rounds in the draft aren't exactly like this, as players drafted after the first round usually just try and get what's most important to them....upfront money. See, NFL contracts are not guaranteed, only the signing bonus us.

Getting players in on time, so they get to take part in all aspects of the training camp is very important. If they player can't be there to learn the playbooks and all the nuances of each play, they risk losing playing time and possibly injury.

So get in camp on time boys, we will need all of you this year.