The Chicago Bears have taken a noteworthy step. They signed one of their three second-round picks. There are two days before the team’s training camp report date for the 2025 rookie class. Bears defensive lineman Shemar Turner became the first of the team’s last three rookies to sign, and he got a bit of a pay bump.
Turner was present for the offseason program, but that availability, plus that of his fellow second-round picks, was in question in recent days.
The Bears can cross this off their list.
Bears DL Shemar Turner Signs 4-Year, $7 Million Rookie Scale Contract
Shemar Turner Breaks Bears’ Cold Spell
“The #Bears and second-round DT Shemar Turner have agreed to terms on his four-year rookie contract, source says,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on July 17. “The logjam slowly begins to open up.”
Moreover, Turner got a little “extra” in his deal.
“[Turner] got an extra 35% guarantee in year 3 per source,” 9News’ Mike Klis reported on X on July 17.
Rookie contracts in the NFL are slotted, so Turner’s $7.2 million total contract value was essentially set in stone. However, there was a surging trend around the league that loomed large with training camps starting.
This is a win-win for the Bears, who can move on to other business, and for Turner.
Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten (No. 62 in 2024) got a $6.4 million deal with $3.4 million guaranteed. However, there is no guaranteed money in the third year of the pact.
Turner was the No. 62 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. He and the Bears, like many others, were in a holding pattern after the Houston Texans gave wide receiver Jayden Higgins (No. 34 overall) a fully guaranteed $11.7 million deal.
The Cleveland Browns followed suit with linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
He was the No. 33 overall pick, the first selection of the round. The Denver Post’s Luca Evans speculated that Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori would have to be the next to set the tone as the No. 35 pick.
Bears Catch Break on Noteworthy Trend
Los Angeles Chargers’ second-rounder Tre Harris, the No. 55 pick, has already held out from the start of his team’s camp. However, San Francisco 49ers D-lineman Alfred Collins was the first to “open the floodgates.”
He still saw an increased percentage of guaranteed money.
“The next big domino in the second round has fallen: 49ers’ second-round pick Alfred Collins, the No. 43rd overall selection, reached agreement tonight on a four-year, $10.3 million deal that includes over $9 million guaranteed and now is expected to trigger multiple second-round signings, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on July 16.
“Until now, 30 of the 32 second round picks remained without a deal. Collins will have 88 percent of his deal guaranteed, a huge jump over last year’s No. 43 overall pick.”
Bears Not Out of Woods With 2nd Round Picks
The Bears must still address their first two picks from this year’s second round, wide receiver Luther Burden III and Ozzy Trapilo, selections Nos. 39 and 56, respectively. Both players participated in some capacity during the offseason program, though Burden was limited.
There is some optimism that the team can get Burden and Trapilo squared away now that Turner is under contract, though the former’s slotting could make him tricky.
The Bears still have time on their side compared to other teams.