Defensive tackle Carl Simpson believes the 1997 Bears can reach the Super Bowl. So, Thursday he signed a two-year contract to pursue that goal.
Now the Bears will pursue their chances of trying to bring back cornerback Donnell Woolford and 10 other regulars who will become either unrestricted or restricted free agents after the regular season ends Sunday.
“I personally feel we need Donnell,” said Simpson after he agreed to terms. “I’m almost sure they’ll keep him. Of course, this is Carl Simpson talking . . . not (board chairman) Ed McCaskey.”
Veteran safety Mark Carrier, already under contract for $1.4 million, also qualified his feeling that the Bears will retain Woolford at an increased salary in the $2 million range.
“I think Woolford is automatic,” said Carrier. “He’s playing as good as anybody. I’d like to see everybody back. But the way the business works, that might not happen.”
Coach Dave Wannstedt said, “Woolford is one of our next priorities. There are three or four starters we feel have an impact on the team. Woolford is one of them.”
No major signing is expected until 1997. The Simpson signing, said Wannstedt, “left no more money until after (Jan. 1).”
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The Bears will try to sign their “priority free agents” between Jan. 1 and mid-February, when free agent signings can take place.
Simpson joined placekicker Jeff Jaeger as potential unrestricted free agents who signed before they tested the market. Remaining starters who will be unsigned after Sunday are center Jerry Fontenot, tight end Keith Jennings, quarterbacks Dave Krieg and Erik Kramer, guard Todd Burger, fullback Tony Carter, tailback Raymont Harris, linebackers Joe Cain and Vinson Smith, end Al Fontenot and tackle Jim Flanigan.
Four of these regulars–Burger, Carter, Flanigan and Harris–are restricted free agents. As third-year pros, they can sign with other teams for more money than the Bears offer. But if they do, the other teams have to give the Bears draft picks. The others are unrestricted free agents.
“I was not afraid to test the market,” said Simpson. “But I wanted to come back here because I feel the team is moving forward. We have the players, the character, the attitude. I feel we’re going to the Super Bowl.
“I didn’t want a long-term contract,” said Simpson, 26. “I wanted two years. I want to put myself on the spot. After two years of great football, I could go anywhere.”
A second-round draft pick out of Florida State in 1993, Simpson was an underproducer until Wannstedt challenged him this season. He played well against both the run and the pass. Wannstedt said he can play either end or tackle.
Erin Go Bears: The Bears announced they will play an exhibition game in Dublin, Ireland, July 27 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Irish ownership of the two teams–the McCaskeys and the Rooneys–may have had something to do with the selection of the site.
The game in Dublin will be the fourth played in Europe by the Bears. The previous three were Aug. 2, 1986, Bears 17, Cowboys 3, in Wembley Stadium, London, England; Aug. 14, 1988, Vikings 28, Bears 21, in Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg, Sweden; Aug. 3, 1991, 49ers 21, Bears 3, in Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany.