Lake Forest, IL (Sports Network) - Right tackle John Tait is officially a member of the Chicago Bears after the Chiefs opted not to match a lucrative six-year offer sheet the five-year veteran signed with the Bears last Friday.
Kansas City reportedly would have had to renegotiate a few contracts and cut a couple players to retain Tait. The Chiefs had placed a transition tag on the 6-6, 323-pounder prior to free agency, giving them the right of first refusal.
The 14th overall selection in the 1999 draft, Tait started 34 games at left tackle for Kansas City from 1999-2001 before shifting to right tackle in 2002 after the Chiefs acquired Pro Bowl left tackle Willie Roaf in a trade with New Orleans.
Tait has appeared in 75 games in five seasons with 66 starts. The 29-year-old has started 50 straight games, the last 32 at right tackle.
The Bears also signed kicker Joe O'Donnell from NFL Europe on Friday.
