Former Bears quarterback Bob Avellini dies at 70

Former Bears quarterback Bob Avellini died on Saturday at the age of 70.

Avellini joined the Bears as a 1975 sixth-round pick — Walter Payton was Chicago’s first-round pick that year — and started four games during his rookie season. He started 40 more regular season games over the next three seasons and made his only playoff appearance in a loss to the Cowboys after the 1977 season.

“Bob was one-of-a-kind; a fierce and tough competitor,” the Bears said in a statement. “He’s perhaps best remembered for leading the Bears on an improbable run in 1977 to our first postseason appearance in 14 years. He will be missed.”

Avellini remained with the Bears until he was released during the 1984 season. He finished out the year with the Jets and spent time with the Cowboys in the 1986 preseason before retiring.

Chiefs sign 17 undrafted rookies, cut three players

The Chiefs cut a handful of players on Friday and they dropped three more on Saturday while adding 17 undrafted rookies to their roster.

Wide receiver Jacob Copeland, tight end Izaiah Gathings, and safety Tyree Gillespie were all waived off of the 90-man roster. Defensive end Jordan Smith, wide receiver Shi Smith, and wide receiver Anthony Miller were dropped on Friday and the Chiefs also withdrew their exclusive rights free agent tender offer to linebacker Cole Christiansen.

Former TCU running back Emani Bailey is one of the 17 undrafted free agents who joined the team. Bailey ran 223 times for 1,209 yards and eight touchdowns last season and also posted 25 catches for 184 yards.

The Chiefs also signed Utah cornerback Miles Battle, Southern Miss Swayze Bozeman, Kansas State wide receiver Phillip Brooks, James Madison wide receiver Reggie Brown, Texas Tech tight end Baylor Cupp, Marshall tackle Ethan Driskell, Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs, Florida State defensive tackle Fabien Lovett, Tennessee Chattanooga tackle Griffin McDowell, Oklahoma guard McKade Mettauer, Kent State cornerback Derrick Miller, BYU punter Ryan Rehkow, USC cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace, UCLA running back Carson Steele, Villanova guard Nick Torres, and Central Connecticut State linebacker Luquay Washington.