The restricted free agent market continued to generate increasing action on Saturday, with the Minnesota Vikings signing three-year veteran kicker Paul Edinger to an offer sheet, a deal that includes $1.6 million in upfront money.

Edinger, 25, played the first three seasons of his career in Chicago, and the Bears have one week to decide whether to match the offer sheet. The deal, ESPN.com confirmed through agent Ken Harris, is worth $7 million over five years.

If the Bears match the offer, they simply assume the contract negotiated by their division rivals. Should they decide not to match it, Edinger will move on to the Vikings and the Bears will receive a sixth-round draft choice from Minnesota as compensation.

Minnesota opened the 2002 with Doug Brien as its kicker and then, when he struggled early on, was forced to re-sign Gary Anderson, the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, out of retirement. The team is seeking to resolve its kicking situation for the long-term and acquiring Edinger would potentially do that for the Vikings.

The Bears have made a qualifying "tender" to Edinger, essentially a one-year offer at $605,000. That permitted them to retain a right of first refusal on any deals he signed elsewhere.

A former Michigan State standout, Edinger was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 draft. He has converted 69 of 86 field goal attempts and all 84 of his extra point tries. Last season, Edinger was successful on 22 of 28 field goals and 29 of 29 extra points.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.