Bears Sign 3-Time Pro Bowl Guard Josh Sitton

By Chris Emma--

(CBS) The Bears enter the regular season with a now-bolstered offensive line. The team has signed three-time Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton to a three-year deal.

A fixture on the Packers' offensive line for the last eight seasons, Sitton was released by Green Bay on Saturday in a surprising move. He immediately became a free agent, with Chicago serving as his first stop on the open market.

The 30-year-old Sitton has started for the Packers in each of the last seven seasons and hasn't missed a game since 2011. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Chicago is likely to play Sitton at center, plugging him next to another three-time Pro Bowl player, Kyle Long, along with rookie left guard Cody Whitehair. The Bears have struggled on the offensive line, with the injury to Hroniss Grasu forcing Ted Larsen in at center, a position with which he has struggled.

Sunday brought a series of roster moves for the Bears, including the signings of tight end Logan Paulsen, center Eric Kush and cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc early in the day. In corresponding moves, the Bears released cornerback Demontre Hurst, center Cornelius Edison and tight end Khari Lee.

Late Sunday, the surprising word came that the Bears also plan to release kicker Robbie Gould.

The Bears' roster is at 53 with the first practice of Week 1 slated for Monday morning at Halas Hall.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.