Shemar, a defensive lineman from Texas A&M, has finally signed his initial rookie contract after months of waiting following the completion of the most recent annual NFL draft. To the delight of Chicago Bears fans and the likely dismay of Cincinnati Bengals fans, Shemar Turner has just signed on the dotted line. As a result, the player who has lately gained the nickname “Boss” will report to training camp on time.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bears have signed rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner to his first contract as a professional. He is the fourth player selected in the second round of this year’s class to sign a contract. Financial terms have not been disclosed as of the writing of this article.
Shemar Turner appears to be the final piece in an upgraded group up front along the defensive line. The former Aggies defensive lineman will bring his nasty temperament and flexibility to a team that needed both an attitude boost and more interior beef. For the bulk of his first season, he will most likely share time with fellow newcomer and Pro Bowl veteran Grady Jarrett.
This acquisition is also significant for the Bears, as it appears that the league-wide standoff with players picked in the second round has ended. Prior to this signing, and yesterday’s announcement that the 49ers had signed Alfred Collins to a rookie deal, only two of the thirty-two players taken in the same round had signed.
The majority of discussion has focused on guaranteed values within these otherwise pre-negotiated CBA agreements.
That detail is being scrutinized in Chicago, where three players were taken in the second round. Shemar Turner was the third of three players picked on the same day, with OT Ozzy Trapilo and WR Luther Burden III still unsigned. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, there is hope that those two players will be settled soon.
I anticipate Ozzy Trapilo’s agreement will be completed and disclosed shortly after this story is published. Luther Burden III’s contract may be the most difficult of the three to accomplish due to the percentage of guarantees before and after the slot he was selected for. Still, there are only two more rookies to sign contracts, and both are expected to be done before camp starts.
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