Manny Ramirez to Bears: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Veteran offensive guard Manny Ramirez was traded from the Denver Broncos to the Detroit Lions during the 2015 NFL draft, but it turns out the 33-year-old's second stint in the Motor City will only last one season.  

The Bears announced Ramirez signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday after starting just seven games for the Lions last season. WGN Radio's Adam Hoge added Ramirez "will be in the mix to start at center and should provide depth at guard." 

After evolving into a staple along the Broncos offensive line from 2012 to 2014, Ramirez watched his snap count slip considerably in 2015. According to the Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett, Ramirez played just 45.3 percent of the Lions' offensive snaps last season. 

While Detroit didn't entrust Ramirez with a particularly heavy workload, his versatility was showcased throughout the 2015 season. Not only did Ramirez handle responsibilities at both left and right guard, but he served as the team's backup center. 

The fact that the Lions benched Ramirez was all the more baffling in light of his high level of play, as cited by Kyle Meinke of MLive.com:

Along with being a sturdy interior presence, Ramirez has stood out in the past as a character guy who plays for the love of the game. 

"This game has been good to me," Ramirez said in November, per Birkett. "But it's too hard, this game's way too hard to make it about the money. I think it's too much risk involved. I personally have too much passion because of what it's done for me, how it's changed our lives."

Based on Ramirez's character alone, he's a solid addition for the Bears. Factor in his ability to provide insurance at several spots along the offensive line, and Ramirez may wind up looking like one of the spring's smarter signings in due time. 

The Chicago offensive line had a solid year in 2015, ranking seventh in run blocking and 11th in pass protection, per Football Outsiders.

Ramirez is only going to make the unit better next season, which will be of considerable assistance to the Bears as they adjust to a new play-caller in Dowell Loggains.