Stephen Holder

IndyStar

The Indianapolis Colts gave Jerrell Freeman his first crack at an NFL career. But to continue that career, Freeman will have to go elsewhere.

The starting inside linebacker, consistently among the team's leaders in tackles, signed a three-year free agent contract with the Chicago Bears on Saturday.

A former Canadian Football League standout, Freeman had been in talks with the Colts and Bears in recent days and had reportedly attracted interest from the Atlanta Falcons, too. But a visit to Chicago on Friday resulted in a formal deal, which the Bears announced Saturday afternoon.

The contract, worth $12 million ($6 million guaranteed) according to an NFL source, was less than that of fellow inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson. He has two years remaining on his deal at an average of about $5 million per year.

So, what gives?

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The Freeman negotiations, according to sources, were quite difficult. The Colts, according to sources, made a substantive offer to Freeman weeks ago. But Freeman spurned that offer, even deciding to change agents and hire representative Drew Rosenhaus in an effort to land a better deal.

In the end, Freeman's market value was less than he envisioned.

As the first wave of signings around the league came and went on Wednesday and Thursday, Freeman held out for a better deal that never came. And once Freeman turned down the original Colts offer, the team – according to a source – began moving in another direction, making preparations to lose Freeman in free agency.

It's unclear whether the Colts made an attempt to match the Bears' offer. Also unclear is whether Freeman gave them the opportunity.

Freeman set franchise records for tackles in a season in 2012 and 2013 and has been one of the defense’s most productive players. The Colts signed him from the CFL in 2012 and he immediately became a starter and key contributor. Freeman had 148 tackles in his 13 starts in 2015.

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Now, they'll look to replace him. The Colts remain enthusiastic about backup Nate Irving, who signed a free agent deal last year but was limited by a slow-healing knee injury that occurred before his arrival. He is a potential replacement for Freeman, but the Colts also have one eye on a deep class of inside linebackers in the upcoming NFL draft. The draft options were a factor in the decision to let Freeman walk.

The Colts' negotiations with Freeman were reminiscent of other recent contract talks. Even future Hall of Fame placekicker Adam Vinatieri found it difficult to get his wishes during his difficult negotiations with the team. And the club essentially let tight end Coby Fleener walk away to the New Orleans Saints with very little effort to keep him.

The Colts' tightening salary cap remains an issue, especially with the expected contract extension of Andrew Luck coming later this offseason. It has prompted the Colts to take a hard line on contract negotiations.

Freeman's is just the latest example.

Follow IndyStar reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.