As anticipated, the Chicago Bears on Wednesday afternoon matched the restricted free agent offer sheet to which the Minnesota Vikings signed Paul Edinger on Sunday, meaning the three-year veteran kicker will stay put.

Chicago had a full week to decide on the offer sheet but took just three days to resolve the issue. Most experts felt the Bears would not allow Edinger to depart, particularly to a division opponent, and that they would match.

The move means that the Bears, who had more than sufficient salary cap room to retain Edinger, assume the five-year, $7 million deal negotiated with the Vikings, a contract that includes $1.6 million in upfront money. For the Vikings, it means the search for a reliable veteran capable of ending the place kicker carousel that franchise has been on will continue.

Had the Bears not matched the offer, apparently never even considered by team officials, they would have received the Vikings' sixth-round choice in this year's draft as compensation. Chicago had retained right of first refusal by making Edinger a $605,000 qualifying offer last month.

A former Michigan State standout, Edinger 25, 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.

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

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.