The Chicago Bears targeted Blake Costanzo because they realized Corey Graham would probably not be returning.

And they successfully landed the veteran linebacker Tuesday night, adding him to the mix as a top special teams player. He finished second on the San Francisco 49ers with 17 tackles on special teams this past season, and added four more in postseason competition. He came up big in the 49ers' playoff upset of the New Orleans Saints, forcing one fumble on special teams and recovering another.

The 27-year-old was developed by Brad Seely, following him from Cleveland to San Francisco, and is considered one of the better core special teams performers in the league. According to his agent David Canter, it's a two-year contract.

"I always respected what he did and how he worked at his craft -- and he's not the biggest guy, he's not the strongest guy," Seely told the Associated Press this last season. "But he's one of those guys that his whole is much better than the parts. What he brings on Sunday is really a unique situation for us in special teams in the sense that he's really good at his job."

The Bears made a late push to re-sign Graham, who reached the Pro Bowl this past season, but it's unlikely he will return to the team. Several clubs are believed to be interested in him.

bmbiggs@tribune.com

Twitter @BradBiggs