LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Tommie Harris says the talks that led to his four-year, $40 million contract with the Chicago Bears were businesslike and "classy."
The extension includes $27 million over the first three years, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter. It also includes $18 million in guaranteed bonuses, which will make Harris one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in NFL history and keep him with the team through 2012.
Speaking at a morning news conference at Halas Hall, the defensive tackle said he and Bears management kept negotiations private in reaching a deal that will keep him with Chicago through 2012.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 295
College: Oklahoma
Experience: 4
Games/Starts: 60/56
That differs from what has happened between the team and linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. They've both gone public with complaints and either hinted or threatened holdouts.
"We didn't try to go out there and talk about one another or dispute different things, and I feel like we did it all in-house," Harris said.
Now the Bears must turn their attention to the pending negotiations of Urlacher and Devin Hester. Both are under contract beyond 2008, and general manager Jerry Angelo would like to reach deals on contract extensions before training camp begins next month.
"The timetable is when we're in the offseason. This is the time to talk business and do these things," said Angelo, who reached deals for contract extensions with defensive end Alex Brown and kicker Robbie Gould during the offseason.
Information from the Associated Press was included in this report
