Andrew Billings signs 2-year contract extension with Bears

The Chicago Bears agreed to a contract extension with a key starter on defense Thursday, but it wasn’t Jaylon Johnson. Instead, GM Ryan Poles signed defensive lineman Andrew Billings to two-year deal worth $8.5 million, including $6 million in guarantees.

The #Bears have reached a 2-year contract extension with DT Andrew Billings, per @_SportsTrust. He gets $8.5M with $6M guaranteed.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 2, 2023

Billings has been one of the most consistent starters on the Bears’ defense in 2023. He has the third-highest grade of all Bears defenders with at least 240 snaps on the season, and has been a big (no pun intended) reason why the run defense is vastly improved this year.

Billings signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Bears last offseason, and he’s done just that.

Andrew Billings’ new contract will magnify the Jaylon Johnson contract situation even more. The veteran cornerback is waiting for a contract extension of his own, but it’s becoming more likely hat newly acquired defensive end Montez Sweat will be the next big-money deal that gets done.

Sweat getting paid is an obvious expectation after trading a 2024 second-round pick for him. Billings’ deal comes as a bit of a surprise, even if it’s not the kind of money Johnson is expected in his next deal.

Please leave this field empty

Sign up for the FREE BearsTalk Newsletter

Subscribe to get the latest headlines, breakdowns, and insights delivered directly to your inbox

Your Daily Bears Fix

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.