Tom Waddle’s new deal with ESPN means his weekend commute will be a bit shorter this year.

The former Chicago Bears receiver, one of our favorites on and off the field, has signed on as an analyst for Sunday Football on ESPN Radio, beginning with week one on Sept. 8. The show, which begins at 1 p.m. ET, features updates and analysis of that Sunday’s NFL games. Waddle also will do Sunday segments on SportsCenter.

Previously, Waddle, who co-hosts the Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN 1000 in Chicago,  had done similar chores for NFL Network, which required him to make weekend trips to Los Angeles. Now he only has to fly to Bristol, Conn. And he also gets to enjoy the luxurious accommodations at the Bristol DoubleTree. Hey Tom, breakfast included!

For Chicago readers, Waddle has joined WLS-Ch. 7. Here’s the official rundown:

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Waddle will serve as ABC 7 Chicago’s Bears analyst during the NFL season.  He’ll team up with ABC 7’s Sports Director/Anchor Mark Giangreco for “Waddle’s World” segments on ABC 7’s top-rated 10 PM newscasts, Wednesdays and Fridays when the Bears begin their season.  Then, from ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Conn., Waddle will be talking football with Rafer Weigel in the ABC 7 studios, Sundays on the10 PM newscast.  “The Waddle Report,” will bring ABC 7 viewers an exclusive post-game look at how the Bears played each week.

In addition to his reports on ABC 7 News Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights, he’ll join the ABC 7 sports team for their Bears pre-game specials.  Waddle will serve periodically as a sports contributor on ABC 7’s Windy City LIVE, which will begin airing at 11 AM on Monday, September 2.