NFL free agency: Sam Acho signs with Chicago Bears, gives touching farewell message

The Arizona Cardinals did not seem interested in bringing him back, so there is no surprise, but linebacker Sam Acho will be wearing another uniform in 2015. Acho signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday.

Acho, a fourth round pick out of Texas in 2011, made a solid impact his rookie season, as he had seven sacks and four forced fumbles. But after his rookie year, his pass rushing impact disappeared. In the other three years he played, he only combined for six sacks and three forced fumbles.

Acho will be missed, though. He was a great guy in the locker room, he was solid in coverage and solid against the run -- he wasn't great at any one thing, but he is the type of player every team needs. He also is a solid special teams player.

There really wasn't a place for him on the roster now, especially since the team wants to get faster and add pass rushing threats.

Acho did not leave on bad terms, though. In fact, he wrote a very touching goodbye on his own web page. Here is some of it:

These last four years have been the best four years of my life. I made friends, made plays, met people, met expectations, grew physically, and matured spiritually. These last four years have shaped me.

I came into the NFL not knowing what to expect. When I got drafted by the Cardinals, I was met with open arms. Welcomed by a Jay Feely tweet and a Sam Ponder direct message, I knew I had two friends in Arizona. What I didn't know is that I would fall in love with a team, a city, and an amazing fan base.

To my teammates - Calais, Carson, Coopaloop, Richie B, Fitzy, Niño, P-twice, FIVE (or Fire... I'm still not sure how to say Tyrann's nickname), Shaddy, and Money Mike - thank you all so much for always being there. I'll never forget the times we spent. To the friends - Max, Lukas, Brian, Gokee, Bhatti, Jose, Ale, Mary - I loved our time.

To my Thunderbird family, my Chase Bank family, my 12 News family, my Freak Nation family, and all of those who I had the pleasure of interacting with, thank you for making Arizona such a fun place for me to live. I love Phoenix, and I will be back.

Good luck to Sam in 2015! Sam will get to play against Arizona this year. The Cardinals will play the Bears on the road in 2015.