THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears were a busy bunch on Thursday.

They gave themselves a makeover at tight end, trading Greg Olsen to Carolina, and lured punter Adam Podlesh from Jacksonville with a five-year contract. Even so, there still is plenty of work to do.

Veteran centre Olin Kreutz remained unsigned. The same goes for defensive tackle Anthony Adams and linebacker Nick Roach, and with questions on offence and defence, it would be a stretch to say the picture is in focus.

It is a little less blurry, though.

Trading Olsen to Carolina for an undisclosed 2012 draft pick capped a wild day in which the Bears gave themselves a completely different look at that position, and it might have cleared the way to go after a big wide receiver such as Roy Williams.

The Bears could use some size to go with Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett and Devin Hester, particularly now that Olsen is gone. The six-foot-three Williams, who was released by Dallas, fits that description.

He also flourished in offensive co-ordinator Mike Martz's system in Detroit, finishing with 1,310 yards receiving in 2006, and has strong ties to Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake from their days at Texas. Bears defensive co-ordinator Rod Marinelli was also the head coach when Williams was in Detroit.

As for Olsen, he had been rumoured to be available in the past because of the perception that pass-catching tight ends don't fit in Martz's scheme. Last year, he had his lowest totals in receptions (41) and yards (404) since he was a rookie in 2007, but he tied for the team lead with five touchdown catches.

The trade came on the same day the NFL Network reported that Chicago agreed to a contract with Pittsburgh Steelers free agent tight end Matt Spaeth. He would replace Brandon Manumaleuna, who was released after he failed his physical.

Manumaleuna played for Martz in St. Louis and signed a five-year deal last summer, but the move didn't really work out. A knee problem limited him early on, and his weight was an issue.

The six-foot-seven, 270-pound Spaeth is cut from a similar mould as Manumaleuna. He's known more for his blocking, an area where the Bears could use help.

Spaeth has never caught more than 17 passes in a season and had nine receptions for 80 yards in 14 games last year, his fourth with the Steelers. His agent, Neil Cornrich, did not return messages seeking comment.

Podlesh, meanwhile, became one of the highest paid punters. Agent Richard Rosa would not reveal the financial terms but said the deal puts him in the top five at his position.

Podlesh, who turns 28 next month, spent four years in Jacksonville and will replace Brad Maynard, whose contract expired after a 10-year run in Chicago. Podlesh was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his salivary gland in 2009 but was a Pro Bowl alternate last season, averaging 43.8 yards per punt and landing 26 (45.6 per cent) inside the 20-yard line.

Rosa said Chicago was "an easy sell" and praised special teams co-ordinator Dave Toub and special teams assistant Kevin O'Dea.

"The opportunity to play for a storied franchise, their commitment to special teams -- that was huge for him," he said. "The special teams coaches, they did a great job talking him through it, what their game plan is and how they see him progressing as a player through the five years. It really set the tone for him. It really made it an easy decision for him because of that level of commitment. He's very excited."

Veteran free agents can sign Friday and participate in team meetings, but they can't practice until Aug. 4. The Bears open camp in Bourbonnais, Ill., on Friday and start practising on Saturday.