Benson becomes final 1st rounder to sign

By John Onan  |   Monday, August 29, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Chicago Bears
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Former Texas running back Cedric Benson ended his 36-day holdout and signed a five-year deal with the Chicago Bears. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Benson was the 4th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft and had visited the Bears general manager Jerry Angelo on Thursday, but it was said not to be a negotiating session since his agent Eugene Parker did not accompany him.

Cedric Benson was a four-year starter at Texas and finished his career as the sixth-leading rusher in Division I-A history with 5,540 yards. Only one Longhorns running back, Ricky Williams, ran for more yards than Benson in his career. Benson's 64 career touchdowns also rank him 3rd all-time in NCAA history.

Angelo had stated earlier that the team had made its best and final offer to Benson, and it appeared that the team was proceeding with preparations for the regular season without him. Last year's starting running back, Thomas Jones, has been projected as the no. 1 man on the depth chart to begin the season.

The Chicago Bears situation on offense has become even more muddled since quarterback Rex Grossman broke his ankle in the team's second pre-season game, and head coach Lovie Smith named rookie Kyle Orton the opening day starter on Sunday afternoon.
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