Chicago Bears Sign Punter Adam Podlesh to Replace Brad Maynard

The Bears have moved on from the Brad Maynard era by signing a veteran punter from the Jacksonville Jaguars, free-agent Adam Podlesh, to a five-year contract.

While the team has been relatively quiet in free agency so far, save for undrafted free-agent signings, at least their punting situation is now resolved.

The Bears were not satisfied with the performance of Maynard in 2010, but perhaps the real reason he is not returning is the reported rift he had with special teams coach Dave Toub.

Meanwhile, Podlesh had spent the past four years with the Jags and was a fourth-round draft pick back in 2007.

Podlesh was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as Acinic Cell Carcinoma in 2009. But he returned to have a solid season in 2010, averaging 43.8 yards per punt.

He was also good at something that was a specialty of Maynard, landing 26 punts inside opponents' 20-yard line.

Podlesh is also a lot younger than Maynard, so the Bears should be set at this position for years to come.

Unfortunately, they are not set at wide receiver, in my opinion, and now do not appear to have shown any interest in the big name wideouts.

Sidney Rice inked a deal with Seattle on Wednesday. He was a guy I was hoping the Bears would target, but it does not appear that they ever seriously considered him.