LAKE FOREST, Ill., March 15 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears Friday agreed to terms with free agent outside linebacker Mike Caldwell on a multi-year contract.
Terms were not disclosed, but ESPN reported Caldwell agreed to a four-year contract worth $4.7 million.
The Bears already have one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL with Brian Urlacher in the middle and Warrick Holdman and Rosevelt Colvin on the outside, but Holdman is a restricted free agent and is eligible to sign an offer sheet with the Bears retaining a right of first refusal.
The agreement with Caldwell gives the Bears an insurance policy if Holdman departs.
Caldwell, 30, started all 16 games at weakside linebacker for the Eagles last season and recorded a career-high 95 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and seven passes defensed.
Philadelphia moved quickly to replace Caldwell, signing free agent linebacker Shawn Barber, who had been a starter on the weakside for the Washington Redskins since 1999.
A third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1993, Caldwell played three years with the Browns and one season each with the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals before signing with the Eagles in 1998.
