The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have traded defensive tackle Brian Price to the Chicago Bears for a draft pick next year.
Price was a second-round pick (35th overall) out of UCLA by Tampa Bay in 2010. The 6-1, 303-pound Price has started 14 games over two seasons, with 27 tackles (23 solo) and three sacks.
He joins a team with big goals and some big question marks on the defensive line.
"Very explosive player off the ball, very reactive," general manager Phil Emery said after the trade was announced on Thursday. "He has struggled some here in the last year. He's had a tough go of it with family issues, obviously with his sister passing away."
Price's sister died in May from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. The Bears believe a change of scenery will help and that their scheme is a good fit for him.
"He's about this system," Emery said. "He's a penetration, explosive, get off the mark, get in the gap, cause disruption type player. He can fit, he'll be inside and he'll fit between the D tackle and the nose tackle position."
Emery would not disclose details of the 2013 draft pick. The Bucs also announced that they have signed linebacker Thomas Williams to a two-year contract and waived wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe and defensive back Devin Holland. Williams, entering his third season, spent last year with the Carolina Panthers.
