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All signs Thursday pointed toward Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith receiving a contract extension sooner rather than later.
Now, it's official.
Smith and the Bears agreed to a two-year contract extension Friday, the financial terms of which were not immediately announced. This will keep Smith with the Bears through the 2013 season, rewarding him for this year's unexpected appearance in the NFC title game.
"Of course I feel great about the extension," Smith said from the NFL scouting combine.
The new deal also runs the same length as that of general manager Jerry Angelo.
"Jerry and I work together well," Smith said. "We feel like we're a good combination."
When approached by the Tribune about the contract extension Thursday, Smith politely declined to go into detail.
"I've had a contract every year I've been here with the Bears," Smith said.
Smith acknowledged that the Bears have work to do to keep pace with Super Bowl champion Green Bay.
"We realize we have the Super Bowl champs in our division and we're looking up to them," Smith said.
Angelo said after the season that an extension for Smith would be in the works. When asked about the progress of the talks last week, Angelo said he could control just one side of the negotiations. Some wondered if the Bears would get Smith's extension done before a lockout. But talks obviously moved swiftly.
Smith guided the Bears to an 11-5 regular season record and NFC North title this past season, a season that ended with a disappointing loss to the rival Packers in the NFC title game.
Smith's career regular season record is 63-49, and he is 3-3 in the playoffs. His 66 combined wins are he third most in franchise history behind George Halas and Mike Ditka.
Now, it's official.
Smith and the Bears agreed to a two-year contract extension Friday, the financial terms of which were not immediately announced. This will keep Smith with the Bears through the 2013 season, rewarding him for this year's unexpected appearance in the NFC title game.
"Of course I feel great about the extension," Smith said from the NFL scouting combine.
The new deal also runs the same length as that of general manager Jerry Angelo.
"Jerry and I work together well," Smith said. "We feel like we're a good combination."
When approached by the Tribune about the contract extension Thursday, Smith politely declined to go into detail.
"I've had a contract every year I've been here with the Bears," Smith said.
Smith acknowledged that the Bears have work to do to keep pace with Super Bowl champion Green Bay.
"We realize we have the Super Bowl champs in our division and we're looking up to them," Smith said.
Angelo said after the season that an extension for Smith would be in the works. When asked about the progress of the talks last week, Angelo said he could control just one side of the negotiations. Some wondered if the Bears would get Smith's extension done before a lockout. But talks obviously moved swiftly.
Smith guided the Bears to an 11-5 regular season record and NFC North title this past season, a season that ended with a disappointing loss to the rival Packers in the NFC title game.
Smith's career regular season record is 63-49, and he is 3-3 in the playoffs. His 66 combined wins are he third most in franchise history behind George Halas and Mike Ditka.