Bears re-sign longest-tenured active player to one-year deal

There will be no change to the Bears’ special teams core. Kicker Cairo Santos and punter Trenton Gill are already set on multi-year deals, but Friday Chicago avoided watching their long snapper hit free agency, re-signing Patrick Scales to a one-year deal, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Originally an undrafted free agent in 2011, Scales came into the NFL after long snapping at Utah State. Scales started off in Baltimore and spent time with the Dolphins, Jets, and Buccaneers before eventually returning to the Ravens for his NFL debut in 2014.

Since initially signing with the Bears in 2015, Scales has spent his eight years in Chicago on one one-year contract after the next. That trend continues into 2024, and though we don’t have all the details on his newest contract, Pelissero reports that the deal includes $1M of guaranteed money.

At 35 years old, and with tight end Marcedes Lewis heading to the free agent market, Scales is set to be the most senior member of the Bears locker room. He also returns as the longest-tenured player in Chicago.