Costanzo ’06 signs two-year deal with Chicago

By Mick Kowaleski ’14

Photo Courtesy of David Canter

The last we saw Lafayette graduate Blake Costanzo ’05, he had just finished a playoff run with the San Francisco 49ers, forcing a fumble and recovering another against the New Orleans Saints en route to an appearance in the NFC Championship game. For the 2012—13 season, he will be vying for a championship with a new team.

On March 13, the Chicago Tribune reported that Costanzo signed a two-year deal with the Bears after his one-year deal with the 49ers expired.

“It was an honor and pleasure to play in San Fran last year,” Costanzo said in an email. “We truly had something special with our team. I had probably the most fun in my life playing ball last year and wish nothing but the best for all my teammates. I love them.”

Costanzo’s deal is worth $1.95 million with a $400 thousand signing bonus. The Tribune described him as “one of the better core special teams performers in the league.”

The signing is a continuation of Costanzo’s increasingly successful albeit journeyman trejectory in the NFL. The Bears will be his fourth team in six seasons, following stints with the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco. The Chicago deal is the longest and most well-played of Costanzo’s career. His last deal was a one-year contract with San Francisco for $700,000. The Chicago deal is worth twice that much, and Costanzo is excited to begin playing for one of the most storied franchises in the league.

“The Bears have such great tradition in this league,” Costanzo said. “They play the game the right way with defense and toughness and emphasize special teams in the importance of field position. And they have the talent to go all the way. I can’t wait to get started and to meet my new teammates.”

A standout special teamer and reserve linebacker, Costanzo finished second on San Francisco’s special teams unit with 17 tackles during the regular season and added four in the postseason.