Chicago Bears sign ERFA Theo Benedet

The Bears' one-year, $922,500 extension with Benedet earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI)—a middle-of-the-road deal that reflects the modest economics of restricted free agent retention at a depth position. At $1.85M total over a single season, this is a cost-effective commitment with minimal salary-cap burden, designed to lock in a reserve-level contributor rather than build around proven production. The CVI accounts for both the low annual value and the compressed timeline; there's no long-term capital at stake, which limits downside risk but also signals the front office isn't projecting Benedet as a core piece. For an ERFA in what amounts to a one-year prove-it window, the structure is defensible—cheap enough to retain organizational control and young enough that decline risk is theoretical rather than imminent. The real question isn't whether the Bears overpaid, but whether a $922,500 bet on a depth roster piece moves the needle in a division race where every dollar counts during a compressed preseason window; at this price, it's roster infrastructure, not a vote of confidence.