Defensive tackle Henry Melton signed his one-year franchise tender with the Bears on Tuesday, the club said.
The move was expected.
Per the CBA, the Bears and Melton have until July 15 t0 work out a long-term contract if they choose to do so.
Melton, 26, notched 44 tackles and six sacks for the Bears in 2012. His pass-rush ability could have made him a popular free agent prospect, but the Bears moved to keep him in the fold.
The non-exclusive franchise-tag salary for defensive tackles in 2013 is $8.45 million.
