Bears Sign Anderson for 4 Years at Reported $6 Million

Neal Anderson, the Chicago Bears’ leading rusher and receiver last year, signed a new contract today for what a source said was $6 million over four years, a figure that would make him the NFL’s highest-paid running back.

Steve Rappenecker, Anderson’s agent, said from Gainesville, Fla., that the agreement will give Anderson more than $5 million over the four years. A source close to the negotiations who spoke on condition his name not be used said the total actually would be more than $6 million.

That would make him the highest-paid running back in the league on average salary per year; Eric Dickerson of Indianapolis made $1.3 million last season. Bears’ spokesman Bryan Harlan, who did not disclose a salary figure, said the deal would make Anderson the highest-paid player in the team’s history.

Three weeks ago, Anderson had threatened to seek out other teams after the Bears withdrew a four-year offer worth an estimated $5.6 million.

“All along I wanted to stay here,” he said at the time. “Maybe I made a mistake.”

Rappenecker said Anderson had been talking to other teams, and “two were very interested,” though neither provided Anderson with offer sheets. He would not name the two teams.

“The Bears were very aggressive in wanting to keep Neal and took the initiative,” Rappenecker said. “I think Chicago had a good attitude about signing Neal from the word go, and even before the word go.”

“I think everybody’s happy. We’re happy, the Bears are happy, and hopefully, the fans in Chicago are going to be happy,” he added.

Anderson was fourth in the NFL with 1,275 yards rushing last season. He also led the team with 50 receptions and 15 touchdowns and went to the Pro Bowl for the second straight year.

Under NFL rules, Anderson had until April 1 to solicit offer sheets from other teams, but apparently none materialized. Because he is a restricted free agent, the Bears would have the right to match any offer or get two first-round draft choices in return if Anderson had signed with another team.

49ers Sign Center Radloff

Wayne Radloff, an NFL Plan B free agent who was a starting center with the Atlanta Falcons from 1986 through 1988, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers, it was reported today.

Radloff is signing for $275,000 in salary and gets a $40,000 signing bonus along with a $50,000 bonus if he is active for the entire season, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

John McVay, the 49ers’ vice president, said the team would consider using Radloff as its starting center and moving Jesse Sapolu, the 1989 starter, back to his former position, guard. Radloff, 29, lost his starting job with the Falcons last season.