Bears to try Jordan Lynch at RB

The Chicago Bears announced deals on Sunday with nine undrafted free agents, highlighted by former Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch, who will try to make the team as a running back.

Lynch told the Chicago Sun-Times that it was "not at all" a tough decision to change positions to try to make it at the next level.

The newspaper reported that Lynch worked out for the Bears at his pro day as a quarterback, but team officials also lined him up at running back, preparing him for the possibility of a position switch. General manager Phil Emery planted the seed that he could play running back that day, and the position switch was cemented when coach Marc Trestman called Lynch on Saturday as the NFL draft was ending.

"I just wanted my shot and my opportunity to be in the NFL, and the Bears were the team," Lynch told the Sun-Times. "I really respect him calling me. ... He seems like a coach I want to be around."

Lynch, who grew up rooting for the Bears, thought the team wouldn't have room for him this season after it drafted San Jose State quarterback David Fales in the sixth round.

But then came Trestman's call later Saturday.

"He said, 'Look, man, I want you here,'" agent Cliff Brady told the Chicago Tribune. "Trestman told him, 'I have 10 different things I can do with you -- come with us. Come here and we'll make it work."

Lynch, 23, threw for 2,892 yards and 24 touchdowns during his senior season with the Huskies. He also rushed for 1,920 yards and 23 touchdowns and finished third in Heisman voting.

"You want as many athletes who can do as many things as possible, and he certainly presents options that way," Emery said Saturday, according to the Tribune. "But the thing that I was really impressed with [was] just his skill as a runner."

Lynch told the Tribune that he's not concerned what position he plays for the Bears. He just wants to make the team.

"Whatever I can do to help a team out, I'm willing to do," he told the newspaper. "I'll run down the field on special teams."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.