Reports: Saints sign Bears WR Meredith to offer sheet
The New Orleans Saints have signed Chicago Bears restricted free-agent wideout Cameron Meredith to an offer sheet, according to multiple reports.
The Bears now have five days to match the offer, which is a two-year deal reportedly worth up to $10 million with more than $5 million guaranteed.
Chicago assigned an original-round tender to Meredith in March, rather than a more expensive first- or second-round tender. Because Meredith was undrafted when he entered the league in 2015, the Bears would receive no compensation if they decline to match the Saints' offer.
Meredith, 25, visited the Saints in the final week of March after previous free-agent visits with the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens. He missed all of 2017 after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament and slightly torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee during a preseason game last August.
The Illinois State product led the Bears in receptions (66) and receiving yards (888) and tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (four) in 2016, across 14 games (10 starts). He had 11 catches for 120 yards in 11 games (no starts) as a rookie in 2015.
Saints wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson coached Meredith while holding the same position for the Bears during the 2016 season.
Meredith is the second Chicago player to sign an offer sheet with another team this offseason. Cornerback Kyle Fuller, on whom the Bears placed the transition tag, agreed to a four-year, $56 million offer sheet ($29 million practically guaranteed) with the division-rival Green Bay Packers in March, but the Bears matched later the same day.
--Field Level Media
