The Chicago Bears agreed to terms with C Brian de la Puente on a one-year contract, the team announced Sunday.
The 6-foot-3, 306-pound de la Puente has started 44 of 48 games played over the last three seasons (2011-13) for the New Orleans Saints, with all 44 starts coming at center. He also started all four postseason contests at center during his time in New Orleans.
Over the last three seasons, de la Puente manned the middle of a Saints offensive line that allowed just 87 sacks, second fewest in the NFL. During that time, the Saints offense was second in the league in scoring offense (29.6 points per game) and tops in the NFL in total offense (425.8 yards per game) and passing offense (318.0 ypg).
According to the Chicago Tribune, the deal is for the minimum veteran salary, with a $65,000 signing bonus and $100,000 base salary guaranteed.