LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears created more family ties between their roster and St. Louis' on Wednesday when they signed offensive tackle Joe Long to a two-year contract.
The Bears signed Long (6-5, 304 pounds), the younger brother of Rams offensive tackle Jake Long, off Pittsburgh's practice squad. The club had already selected starting guard Kyle Long in the first round of the 2013 draft, and he's the younger brother of St. Louis defensive end Chris Long.
So for the Bears, it's a case of same name, different bloodline.
Joe Long originally came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Rams in 2012 out of Wayne State (Mich.), and signed to Pittsburgh's practice squad in November of that season. He didn't appear in a regular-season game in two seasons with the Steelers.
Joe Long started in all 49 of his game sat left tackle at Wayne State, and won the Gene Upshaw Award, which is given annually to the top offensive lineman in Division II.