Sep 11, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Henry Melton (69) reacts after sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (not pictured) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Reports surfaced on Monday morning just hours before the NFL deadline to reach a long-term deal with the players they slapped with the franchise tag this offseason, that Chicago Bears defensive lineman Henry Melton would be playing the 2012 season under the one-year tender that he received.

Now the news is official as Melton confirmed the news.

From Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune:

Henry Melton just confirmed to methat he won’t get a new contract and will play under the one-year franchise tag this season.

— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) July 15, 2013

The 27-year-old has handled the entire situation with class since being hit with the tag.

It took only eleven days for Melton to sign the tag and he has shown up for every workout and minicamp throughout the offseason.

With another strong season and Pro Bowl appearance, Melton would be well on his way to receiving the big money deal that he is looking for. With the amount of mileage that he has left in his career, Melton would attract a lot of interest on the open market.