The Chicago Bears defense will look different next year after the departure of linebacker Brian Urlacher after 13 seasons, but some areas will remain the same, as the team brought back cornerback Kelvin Hayden in on a new deal.
According to ESPNChicago.com, Hayden returned to the team on a one-year deal, just as cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is deciding between the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers. Hayden tried to test the market at cornerback, but with names like Asomugha, Sean Smith, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and others out there, he did not find the deal he was looking for.
Although some teams showed interest in Hayden, he decided to come back to Chicago again as it is his hometown and he is familiar with the team. He has been with the Bears since April and he combined with starters Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings to give the Bears excellent depth at cornerback. Hayden started two games last season for Jennings after he injured his shoulder and he had a solid season, making 40 tackles and an interception with four fumble recoveries.
Hayden was originally a second-round pick for the Colts and wanted to try to find a starting job with a team as a free agent. The Saints and Raiders could have been options, but instead he decided to stay in Chicago.
While with the Colts, Hayden started nearly 50 games including playoff matchups from 2006 to 2011 and made 12 interceptions as well as a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the Bears, which Indianapolis won. After signing with the Falcons in 2011, he started one game while playing in eight and made two interceptions.
After overcoming some injuries and inconsistent play, he was fully healthy with the Bears and he could get more playing time, as the team did not re-sign DJ Moore, who signed with the Carolina Panthers. The Bears still have some areas to add depth to, including at cornerback, where they could use the draft to bring in young players to eventually take over for Jennings and Tillman.
