2024 NFL free agent rankings: Top 50 led by Chris Jones, Kirk Cousins
FOX Sports' NFL staff ranks the top 50 free agents on the market this offseason, with contract updates when they agree to new deals.MARCH 13
CHICAGO BEARS 4-7 · 4TH IN NFC NORTH
4-7 · 4TH IN NFC NORTH
Jonathan Owens - Agrees to deal with Chicago The Bears signed Owens to a two-year contract Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Impact Owens spent one season with Green Bay after four in Houston. With the Packers, Owens appeared in all 17 games (11 starts), finishing with 84 tackles (58 solo), three pass breakups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Owens will likely serve as Chicago's third safety behind Jaquan Brisker and fellow newcomer Kevin Byard.
MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE
Bears agree to 2-year, $12 million deal with tight end Gerald Everett, AP sources say
A person familiar with the situation says the Chicago Bears and former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett have agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract that guarantees...MARCH 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gerald Everett - Joining Chicago Everett and the Bears are in agreement on a contract, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Impact One of the better receiving options among a weak free-agent class of tight ends, Everett is linking up with a Bears team that already has a proven starter in Cole Kmet, coming off a 719-yard, six-TD season. Everett could take some of the snaps in obvious passing situations given that he's probably a bit quicker and more agile, though Kmet is taller, heavier, stronger and has a better track record of receiving production. The Bears may have a lot of two-TE formations in mind, especially with their WR depth behind No. 1 DJ Moore looking shaky at the moment. Still, it's not a great fantasy situation for Everett, who turns 30 in June after five straight seasons in the range of 408-to-555 receiving yards (for three different teams).
MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE
Khalil Herbert - Facing competition from Swift Herbert is part of a backfield that's set to add D'Andre Swift on a three-year, $24 million contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Impact Herbert has outperformed his draft slot since the Bears took him in the sixth round in 2021, averaging 4.9 yards on 364 carries. He's typically worked in timeshares and has just 43 receptions in 42 games, and it's not exactly surprising to see the cap-flush Bears brining in a more versatile running back. This isn't the worst outcome for Herbert's value given that the Bears were previously rumored to have interest in Saquon Barkley -- who is joining the Eagles -- but it does leave Herbert with a lot of snap/touch competition for the final year of his rookie contract, competing against Swift and 2023 fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson.
MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE
Kirk Cousins chooses Atlanta, Saquon Barkley goes to Philly on a busy first day of NFL free agency
Kirk Cousins is heading to the FalconsMARCH 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Justin Jones - Signing with Arizona Jones is slated to sign a three-year, $30.1 million deal with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Peter Schrager of NFL Network reports.
Impact The contract will include $19.75 million in guaranteed money, per Schrager. Jones recorded career highs in solo tackles (29), sacks (4.5) and passes defensed (four) in 2023 with the Bears. The sixth-year pro also played more than 700 defensive snaps for the second straight season.
MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE
Raiders reportedly signing QB Gardner Minshew to two-year, $25 million deal
The Las Vegas Raiders and QB Gardner Minshew are in agreement on a two-year deal that will net Minshew $15 million in guaranteed money.MARCH 11
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson announces emotional personal battle after signing new contract
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson used the occasion of a news conference following his four-year contract extension to announce that he has undergone therapy for sexual addic...MARCH 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
D'Andre Swift, Bears agree to three-year, $24 million contract
The Bears and Pro Bowl RB D'Andre Swift have agreed to a three-year contract, a person familiar with the deal said Monday.MARCH 11
Bears agree to a 3-year contract with Pro Bowl running back D'Andre Swift
A person familiar with the deal says the Chicago Bears and Pro Bowl running back D’Andre Swift have agreed to a three-year contractMARCH 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saquon Barkley next team odds: Eagles, Texans could be landing spots for star RB
Is Saquon Barkley leaving New York? Houston and Philadelphia could be in the hunt to land the running back and the odds are on the move. Rea...MARCH 11
Bears say they're eyeing a new home in Chicago, a shift in focus from a move to the suburbs
The Chicago Bears are prepared to provide more than $2 billion in funding toward a publicly owned stadium in the city, signaling a shift in focus away from building a new home in t...MARCH 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bears reportedly eye public stadium site in Chicago, will fund $2 billion
The Chicago Bears are changing their stadium plans, turning their focus to building a domed venue in the city instead of at a suburban site.MARCH 11
Chicago Bears agree to 2-year contract with veteran safety Kevin Byard
The Chicago Bears have added Kevin Byard to their secondary, agreeing to a two-year contract with the veteran safetyMARCH 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kevin Byard - Finds work in Chicago Byard and the Bears agreed Sunday on a two-year, $15 million contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact In Chicago, Byard should settle in as the team's starting free safety as a replacement for Eddie Jackson, whom the Bears released in February. Between stops with the Titans and Eagles last season, Byard recorded a career-high 122 tackles in 16 games, but the historically ball-hawking defensive back recorded just two turnovers (one interception, one fumble recovery). Heading into his age-31 season in 2024, Byard's best years are most likely behind him, but his addition should still help bolster a Bears secondary that was often leaky in 2023.
MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE
Bet on Drake Maye to go No. 3 in the NFL Draft, despite rumors after Combine
Geoff Schwartz breaks down the top three picks of the NFL Draft. Read why he's laying his money on Drake Maye to be selected third overall,...MARCH 9
Rams add former Eagles, Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai to Sean McVay's coaching staff
Former NFL defensive coordinator Sean Desai has joined the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff as a senior assistantMARCH 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
'Bear Bets': The Group Chat's thoughts on the NFL Draft, NFL offseason
The Group Chat delivers its thoughts on the NFL Draft and offseason following last week's NFL Combine.MARCH 8
2024 NFL Draft No. 1 pick odds: 'Don’t see how the Bears can pass on Williams'
Sammy P spoke to a bookmaker for his thoughts on Caleb Williams' impact on the Bears' future and their NFC North odds.MARCH 8
Bears maintain steady rebuilding effort by re-signing key CB Jaylon Johnson
The Bears extended 24-year-old corner Jaylon Johnson, who was one of the NFL's top cornerbacks in 2023. Their rebuild remains very much on t...MARCH 8
Bears, Pro Bowl CB Jaylon Johnson agree to 4-year, $76 million contract extension
The Chicago Bears and Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson have agreed to a four-year, $76 million contract that guarantees him $54.4 millionMARCH 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bears reportedly re-sign All-Pro CB Jaylon Johnson to four-year, $76M deal
The Bears have reportedly reached an agreement on a new four-year, $76 million contract with All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson.MARCH 7
