CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 13: Roberto Garza #63 of the Chicago Bears blocks Dwan Edwards #98 of the Buffalo Bills during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 13, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Bills 10-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears have extended their longest-tenured active lineman, center Roberto Garza.
Michael Wright of ESPN Chicago is reporting the Chicago Bears have signed center Roberto Garza to a two-year extension:
@mikecwright: Filing to ESPNChicago: Roberto Garza signed 2-year extension worth $6.55 million guaranteed at $2.6 million, according to a source.
The Bears acquired Roberto Garza as a free agent in 2005, but Garza quickly earned a starting guard position and a six-year contract extension. Eventually, Garza became the backup center in addition to the starting right guard.
This past off-season, the Bears GM Jerry Angelo received considerable criticism for letting long-time center Olin Kreutz walk away via free agency, but Angelo's decision proved rather prescient as Garza slid over to the center position effectively, and Kreutz was released -- and subsequently de facto retired -- only four games into the season.
Garza's extension ensure he will remain with the Bears through his 33rd and 34th-aged seasons and at fairly reasonable prices. Garza has missed only two starts since 2004, starting a total of 93 games with the Bears, while playing at above-average-to-good performance levels in multiple positions.
Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.
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