The Chicago Bears on Thursday signed starting strongside linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer to a five-year contract extension. Financial terms were not disclosed. Hillenmeyer was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2006 season. This contract locks him up through 2011.

The Bears signed special teams standout Alex Bannister to a one-year contract on Wednesday. Financial terms were not disclosed. Bannister was a major disappointment as a wide receiver with the Seahawks, catching just nine passes for 121 yards in five seasons. But he made his mark on special teams and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2003 after recording 18 tackles on kick and punt returns. The Bears on Wednesday signed running back Adrian Peterson to a three-year contract extension through 2009.

Former Bears wide receiver Willie Gault set a world record of 10.72 seconds in the master's 100 meters, a division for athletes aged 45 to 49. The previous mark was held by Neville Hodge, who ran 10.96 on April 27, 2001. Gault was faster May 15, finishing in 10.79 seconds but there was no wind reading during that race. On Saturday, he was even quicker at the U.S. track and field championship. "I feel pretty satisfied with the time I ran," he said. "I ran a 10.49 last year, and I expected the same thing or something similar and I think I can do that in the right situation."

Due to a contract dispute, Chicago Bears' cornerback Nathan Vasher stopped attending the voluntary practices on June 8. Following a season in which the cornerback intercepted eight passes and was a second-team All-Pro, Vasher and his agent, Mike Sullivan, were upset that general manager Jerry Angelo refused to discuss an extension on Vasher's contract, which has two years and $900,000 remaining. After being told that the organization does not re-negotiate contracts with players who have two years experience, Vasher has decided he will return to camp.