As first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bears have signed defensive tackle Tommie Harris to four-year extension.

As learned by us, the four-year extension is worth $40 million in new money.  We’re also told that Harris will earn $27 million over three years, which will make him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league.

Harris would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2008 season, but he undoubtedly would have been slapped with the franchise tag in 2009.

He’s now under contract through 2012, setting him up for another healthy contract that reflects the realities of the overall market and increases in the salary cap (if there still is one) five years from now.