The Bears on Thursday re-signed inside linebacker John Timu to a one-year contract.
Timu, 25, has appeared in 29 games with nine starts the past three seasons for the Bears, recording 59 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups and four special teams tackles.
Inside linebacker John Timu has contributed on defense and special teams since joining the Bears in 2015.
Timu originally joined the Bears in 2015 as an undrafted free agent from Washington. Last season the 6-0, 246-pounder played in 11 games with two starts, registering 13 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, one pass breakup and two special teams tackles.
In a win over the Buccaneers Dec. 27, 2015 in Tampa, Timu became the first Bears rookie to recover two fumbles in a game since Bryan Knight on Sept. 22, 2002.
"I'm happy to be back," Timu told ChicagoBears.com. "Being undrafted, anytime you get an opportunity to be in the league, it's always a blessing and just to be where you actually started is even better."
Timu is happy that first-year Bears head coach Matt Nagy retained defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
"I'm excited," Timu said. "We got better last year, but there are still a lot of things we can still do and with Vic Fangio being back—who is the best in the business—it's great for us that we still get to learn from him."
With Timu returning, the Bears have retained 10 of their own free agents. They've also re-signed outside linebacker Sam Acho, cornerback Prince Amukamara, tight end Daniel Brown, cornerback Kyle Fuller, punter Patrick O'Donnell and offensive lineman Bradley Sowell; and tendered receivers Cameron Meredith and Joshua Bellamy and nickel back Bryce Callahan.
As restricted free agents, Meredith, Bellamy and Callahan can sign offer sheets with other NFL teams that the Bears have the right to match.
