Report: Bears to sign OL Matt Pryor to 1-year deal

The Chicago Bears are signing veteran offensive lineman Matt Pryor to a one-year deal, according to The Athletic.

Pryor is expected to serve primarily as depth along Chicago’s offensive line. While he’s played some guard, most of Pryor’s experience comes at tackle. So he’ll be depth for projected starting tackles Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones.

Pryor, a former sixth-round pick in 2018, has stops with the Philadelphia Eagles (2018-20), Indianapolis Colts (2021-22) and San Francisco 49ers (2023). He also overlaps with Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, who served as the Colts defensive coordinator in 2021. Pryor also played in Philadelphia when Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham worked in the front office (2018-20).

During his time with Indianapolis, Pryor started 14 of 23 games. But he’s primarily been a reserve throughout his six-year career.

The Bears are signing veteran OL Matt Pryor to a one-year deal, a source tells me and @kfishbain. He spent last season with the 49ers and overlapped with Matt Eberflus with the Colts in 2021.

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) March 13, 2024

Pryor is the second offseason addition for the offensive line by general manager Ryan Poles. The Bears traded a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Ryan Bates, who’s in contention to start at center or at least serve as depth along the interior.

This is the fifth move for Chicago during free agency. The Bears have already signed or agreed to terms with safety Kevin Byard, running back D’Andre Swift, tight end Gerald Everrett and safety Jonathan Owens.