Bears give six-year offer to Chiefs' Tait

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears signed free agent offensive tackle John Tait of Kansas City to a six-year offer sheet.

The Chiefs have through Friday to match the offer or the 6-foot-6, 323-pound six-year veteran becomes a member of the Bears. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Tait was designated a transition free agent by the Chiefs before the March 3 start of free agency. As a result, there is no compensation due Kansas City if the Bears obtain Tait.

Because of salary cap considerations, the Chiefs would have to renegotiate some contracts or cut players to accommodate re-signing Tait.

The Chiefs moved Tait from left tackle to right tackle after the 2001 season when they acquired left tackle Willie Roaf from New Orleans. Tait has started 51 consecutive games, including every game the last two years at right tackle.

The Bears have not made clear whether they intend to start Tait at right or left tackle. Much depends on whether 2002 first-round draft pick Marc Colombo recovers from two operations on his left knee before the 2003 season.

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