The Bears’ rookie lineup improved significantly Monday when three draft picks agreed to contract terms, one receiving the club’s best-ever package for a second-round pick.
But the Bears’ No. 1 pick, Curtis Enis, remained unsigned amid an NFL investigation of his recent switch of agents. And the newest ex-Bear, troubled defensive end Alonzo Spellman, has been contacted by the Dallas Cowboys, who are in need of pass-rushing help.
Second-rounder Tony Parrish, who will become the Bears’ starting free safety when he arrives Tuesday, agreed to a four-year contract worth $2.55 million, including a signing bonus of $940,000. The Bears’ previous high for a No. 2 pick was the $675,000 bonus paid to John Allred last year as part of his $1.63 million package over three seasons.
“This was an amicable negotiation, and Tony is ready to come to camp,” said Parrish’s agent, Joel Segal.
Third-round pick Olin Kreutz signed a three-year contract for $1.2 million, $410,000 of it in a signing bonus. Kreutz was in Lake Forest Monday for the start of a two-day mini-camp for rookies and will compete with Casey Wiegman for the starting center job.
Quarterback Moses Moreno, the Bears’ second seventh-round pick, also came to terms and was in camp Monday.
But two projected starters–Enis and tight end Alonzo Mayes–remain unsigned and uncertain for Friday’s formal start of full-contact training camp. And the Tribune has learned that the NFL is investigating the circumstances surrounding Enis’ switch of agents from Dallas-based Vann McElroy to a new agent, Greg Feste, who is believed to have ties to an Austin, Texas, Christian religious group that Enis recently joined.
The NFL declined comment on any aspect of the Enis situation.
The picks immediately above and below Enis in the draft have signed, virtually setting the market for the former Penn State running back at a six-year deal in the range of $13.6 million, including a $7 million signing bonus.
Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson, picked No. 4, signed a six-year contract Monday with the Oakland Raiders for $14.5 million, including an $8 million signing bonus and $1.2 million in incentives. On Sunday, defensive end Grant Wistrom, drafted sixth, agreed with the St. Louis Rams on a six-year contract worth $12.75 million, including a $6 million signing bonus.
The Bears offered Enis a six-year contract earlier this month. But negotiations ended when Enis switched agents.
An Enis holdout not only decreases his potential to make a major early impact, it also increases a risk that surfaced briefly during one of the Bears’ mini-camps.
Enis was bothered by a hamstring injury while running his 40-yard dash for scouts before the draft. Then he strained the hamstring during mini-camp and missed several practices.
If he arrives late in training camp and has regressed in his conditioning, the chance of aggravating a hamstring goes up.
