Nick Hill, Bears Agree on Three-Year Free Agent Deal

By Jeff Profitt/GateHouse News Service

Nick Hill's professional football career officially began about 30 seconds after the 2008 National Football League Draft ended early Sunday evening.

The Du Quoin High School and SIU-Carbondale record-setting quarterback agreed to a three-year priority free agent contract with the Chicago Bears.

He'll receive a $5,000 signing bonus and leaves Du Quoin Thursday for the Bears' rookie mini-camp in Chicago.

According to Hill, Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo indicated only one other free agent quarterback- Caleb Hainie from Colorado State -was signed Sunday.

Rex Grossman, the returning starter, and talented Kyle Orton are the lone veteran QB's on the current Chicago roster.

Hill and Hainie apparently will compete for the third string position.

“It really was a no-brainer to sign with the Bears,” Hill said. “Your #1 goal is to always get drafted, but I just wanted to get a shot. I feel really good about the Bears. They were the top team on my list. “

Buffalo nearly drafted Hill with the next-to-last pick (#251) Sunday, but opted to select a defensive back instead.

Once that happened-and after declining late offers from Indianapolis, Houston and Washington-Hill verbally agreed to a deal with Chicago and was faxing back the signed contract about 30 minutes later.

“It's probably a good situation the Bears didn't take me,” Hill admitted. “I'm going to Chicago to play for that third spot and they are planning to keep three active quarterbacks and at least one on the practice team. On Friday, I will be wearing an NFL uniform and can be called a Chicago Bear. They are gonna have to run me out of that place, because I am going to stick around until I learn everything.”

Hill's agent, Andy Simms, started fielding a volley of calls from Chicago and Buffalo during the sixth round.

Buffalo quarterbacks coach Alex VanPelt was up front, indicating Hill would be chosen if the Bills opted for an offensive player with its last pick.

When they didn't, Hill's deal with Chicago began to take shape.

13 quarterbacks were picked during the two-day draft.

After Washington State's Alex Brink went to went to Houston in round six, ESPN Draft Analyst Mel Kiper expressed surprise.

“Brink seems like a reach,” Kiper said. “Especially with some good quarterbacks still out there, including Nick Hill. A smooth lefty from Southern Illinois.”

On ESPN-2's “Mike and Mike in the Morning” Monday, Kiper commented about Chicago signing two free agents quarterbacks (Hill and Hainie) that both would “eventually play in the NFL.:

Oddly enough, Hill may have been forced to compete with close friend Luke Drone (Mount Carmel, Illinois State) if drafted by the Bills. Drone was one of three free agent quarterbacks signing with Buffalo Sunday night.

“I talked to Luke last night and he's pretty excited,” Hill said. “I think we are both going into very good situations.”

A three-year letter winner at SIU, Hill led the Salukis to the national semifinals as a senior. Originally a Division I basketball player at Western Kentucky, Hill is third on Du Quoin's career scoring list in hoops and twice earned all-state honors.

Also a two-year all-stater in football, he threw for nearly 4,000 yards after becoming a starter midway through his sophomore season. Du Quoin finished as state runner-up in 2002.

“I report Friday and will be in Chicago until late Sunday night,” Hill said. “Most of the mini-camp will focus on film study , learning the playbook and getting a feel for the Bears system. I go back to Chicago for the summer May 16 and will workout until training camp starts in July.”

Hill's family hosted about 100 people Sunday afternoon at their Lakeview Lane home, watching the draft just a stones throw from Van Metre Field, the place where Nick's quarterbacking days began as a DHS freshman in 1999.

Monday morning, Hill was back on Route 51 for the familiar drive to Carbondale, where he's student teaching at Carbondale's Thomas Elementary School.

The son of Charles and Debbie Hill, he's finishing up a Special Education degree at SIU this week.

“Yesterday was a long day,” Nick admitted. “But I think things are going to work out. I am going into a great situation with the Bears.”

Hill was invited to Bears headquarters at Halas Hall in March, meeting Angelo, head coach Lovie Smith, offensive coordinator Ron Turner and quarterback coach Pep Hamilton.

“ I am just so excited about this opportunity,” Hill said.

“I know I have a lot of things to work on, but I am a hard worker and its my goal to make the roster. Its the NFL and its my dream.”