LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears special-teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis said on Saturday that no decision has been reached regarding the future of veteran free-agent long snapper Patrick Mannelly, the longest tenured player in team history and perennial special-teams captain.
Mannelly told reporters prior to being honored as the Bears’ 2013 Ed Block Courage Award recipient last month that he remained undecided about returning to the Bears for a franchise record 17th season after undergoing offseason hip surgery in January.
“I’ve been in contact with Pat and there is no pressure one way or the other,” DeCamillis said. “We just have to let it play out. He’s had a great career, and I hope he continues his great career, but we just need to let it play out and see how it goes.
“I don’t [have a sense which way he’s leaning]. I just hope it’s the best situation for him. That’s really what I hope because he’s such a great person and such a great guy. Winning the Ed Block Courage Award is a big deal. Couldn’t be a better guy to win it, I can tell you that.”
The Bears had three long snappers participate in rookie minicamp: Chad Rempel, Brandon Hartson and Craig Montgomery (tryout).
