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Bears long snapper Mannelly to retire after 16 seasons

The Chicago Bears suddenly find themselves in the market for a new long snapper. For the first time since 1998. 

Pat Mannelly, who has slipped under the radar as the longest-tenured player in Bears history, will announce his retirement on Friday, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. He's spent each of his 16 NFL seasons with Chicago. 

Mannelly had been mulling a return for one final season, but after weighing his options and undergoing a hip surgery, the 39-year-old finally decided he'd had enough. 

Asked about his outgoing teammate, and the long snappers who might replace him, Bears kicker Robbie Gould had this to say: 

Pat was great. Those are tough shoes to fill. That guy is probably the greatest long snapper to ever play the game. Trying to fill those shoes … those guys can’t even think about that.

Only two long snappers in the history of the NFL have appeared in more games than Mannelly's 245: Trey Junkin, with 281, and David Binn, with 256.

[H/T ProFootballTalk

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