Antrel Rolle knelt to say a prayer Sunday, the night before the start of NFL free agency.

“God, I pray that you just give me a level head,” Rolle explained Friday to WFAN in New York. “I pray that you just give me a sign to lead me in the right direction, and I’ll follow your lead.”

Rolle picked up his cell phone hours later, awakened by an email alert at 4:33 a.m.

It read: Orbitz alert: Flights to Chicago, discount fare.

Antrel Rolle signed a three-year contract with Chicago worth $11.25 million, including $5 million guaranteed. Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports

“I’m like, ‘Wow,’” Rolle said. “It just hit. I never question God’s plan for me, man.”

The Chicago Bears announced Rolle two days later as the club’s newest acquisition in the secondary, after signing him to a three-year contract, worth $11.25 million, including $5 million guaranteed. The plan now for Rolle is to acclimate himself in Chicago as quickly as possible to prove, even at 32 years old, he can serve as a key contributor in the new Bears defense under new coordinator Vic Fangio.

“They wanted me there. They wanted me badly, everything I can bring to their organization,” Rolle said. “My skill level was still top notch, even at the age of 32. They wanted me to be a part of their ball club. From Day 1, they’ve shown the most interest out of any team.”

Rolle plans to reward Chicago’s belief in him through his play. While concerns exist regarding Rolle’s age, his track record on the field speaks to consistency, durability and leadership. Rolle signed a five-year contract worth $37.1 million with the Giants prior to the 2010 season, and participated in every game that season. In 2011, Rolle played in every game, including the four postseason contests on the way to the Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI title.

Rolle served as a team captain the past two years for the Giants, and was selected to two Pro Bowls during his tenure with the team, while earning a reputation among peers and coaches as a leader and consummate team player. During the NFL combine in February, Giants coach Tom Coughlin spoke highly of Rolle, saying, “I don't think I've ever been involved with a player who was more sincerely interested in how his team could improve. I admire that very much in him as a young man and as a leader."

Rolle expects to bring leadership to Chicago as well, but it won’t be through fiery rhetoric.

“I think you earn your leadership. I don’t plan to come in there overnight and start trying to take over things,” Rolle said. “I’ve never wanted to ever take over anything. If I lead, it’s going to be by example. If I’m a leader, it’s because my peers see me as a leader, not because I see myself as a leader. So I’m just trying to go in there, man, and just be the best safety I can be. Be the best teammate I can be, and play between those white lines, just go out there and bring everything I know; bring that University of Miami old-school mentality to that locker room.

Apparently, that’s fine by Bears coach John Fox.

In five seasons with the Giants, Rolle racked up 464 tackles and 14 interceptions to run up his grand total to 801 tackles and 26 interceptions over a 10-year career.

“Coach Fox told me, ‘I want you to go in. I want you to be yourself. I want you to let it loose the way you know how to let it loose,’” Rolle said. “That’s all I needed to hear because I’m ready to let it loose.”