Reuters

Three big games from Earl Bennett have spurred the Bears to lock him up for four more years.

Bennett, the receiver who missed five games this season but came alive as a big threat in the Bears’ passing game in Weeks 9-11, has agreed to a four-year extension through the 2015 season, the team has announced.

Since joining the Bears as a third-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft, Bennett has 118 catches for 1,554 yards and six touchdowns. He has a particularly good rapport with Jay Cutler, his former Vanderbilt teammate.

Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the total value of the deal is $18 million, including $9 million guaranteed.