The Associated Press

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears made a contract offer to free agent quarterback Kordell Stewart, according to published reports.

The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times both reported Saturday that the Bears made a proposal to Stewart's California-based agent, Leigh Steinberg, on Friday night.

Steinberg also said Stewart received an offer from the Arizona Cardinals. Rod Graves, the Cardinals' vice president for football operations, has said he is negotiating with Steinberg.

Bears spokesman Scott Hagel said Saturday he couldn't confirm that a contract offer had been made. Steinberg did not return phone calls from the Associated Press.

Stewart - the former Pittsburgh Steelers starter who lost his job last year to Tommy Maddox - was one of three quarterbacks to visit the Bears this week, joining Jake Plummer and Jeff Blake.

Plummer, though, signed with the Denver Broncos.

Chicago has a quarterback vacancy after releasing veteran Jim Miller last week.

Before becoming the Steelers' starter in 1997, Stewart was known as "Slash," a multidimensional threat who could make plays as a quarterback, running back and receiver.

As a quarterback, he was brilliant at times and erratic at others. He led the Steelers to two AFC title games but threw three interceptions in each Pittsburgh loss.

• Restricted free agent kicker Paul Edinger signed an offer sheet Saturday with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bears have a week to match the offer.

The offer sheet is for five years and $7 million, Edinger's agent, Ken Harris, confirmed Saturday. The offer includes $1.6 million in bonus money, which would all be earned this month.

Edinger made 22 of 28 field goal attempts last season, with a long of 53 yards, and all 29 point-after attempts.

DOLPHINS: Wide receiver Derrius Thompson signed a three-year contract, increasing the possibility the team will not keep veteran Oronde Gadsden.

Thompson spent the first four years of his career in Washington, where he caught 53 passes for 773 yards and four touchdowns last season. He came on strong in the final five games, with 28 receptions for 437 yards and three TDs.

"We felt he was one of the young talents that could come in and make a difference," said Rick Spielman, the Dolphins' director of player personnel.

Thompson will compete with James McKnight for a starting job opposite Chris Chambers.

SAINTS: The re-team signed kicker John Carney and signed former Pro Bowl punter Mitch Berger, both to five-year contracts.

Carney set a Saints record last season with 130 points, the third-best total in the NFC. He made 31 of 35 field-goal attempts and all 37 of his extra-point tries.

The 38-year-old Carney signed with New Orleans in 2001 after 11 seasons with San Diego.

Berger played with the St. Louis Rams last season, averaging 41.9 yards on 61 punts.

Berger, 30, has averaged 43 yards on 483 punts in his career.

BUCS: Defensive end Simeon Rice, second in the NFL in quarterback sacks last season, reportedly has signed a restructured contract that includes a record $20 million bonus.

The bonus eclipses the record $19 million in guaranteed money that Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis got when he re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens in August.

Return to Bengals front page...