Turns Out This Free Agent Was Eyeing The Bears For Over a Year

It seems the Jaye Howard Bears connection was always fated to happen. Early in 2016 it was felt by many that he was just the sort of defensive line addition GM Ryan Pace coveted. Young, tough, ascending and relatively cheap compared to the superstars. As it turns out the feeling was mutual. Even before free agency began Howard had his eye on Chicago as a top destination. Howard confirmed this in his first major interview with the Chicago Sun-Times since signing with the team back in early May. The two sides apparently discussed a possible deal but as is often the case with the Bears, he wasn't hearing the money numbers he wanted. In the end he chose to return to Kansas City on a short two-year deal for $12 million.

The Jaye Howard Bears story was fate it seems

He considered joining the Bears last year as a free agent, but the sides, he said, weren’t close to a deal. “I was coming off a hell of a year,” the 6-3, 301-pounder said. “Everybody thought the price would be outrageous.” One of the most coveted defensive players in the 2016 free-agent class, he eventually signed a two-year contract worth $12 million to stay in Kansas City. The Chiefs put him on injured reserve Dec. 1 after eight games and five starts. He said he wasn’t surprised, citing the business realities of the league. “It’s funny how that works,” he said. “I wanted to be here last year. A year later, I’m here. The thing is, I’m just trying to stay here.”

Sometimes the NFL works out that way. Two sides come so close to deal, it stalls and they go their separate ways. Then through a twist of fate the player becomes available again and the team gets their second chance to sign him. Howard was one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the league during the 2015 season. He was a top run defender who also produced a health 5.5 sacks. Nowhere near J.J. Watt levels but solid work.

Vic Fangio loves versatile players and Howard is very versatile when he's healthy. He is not yet 100% recovered from the hip injury that ended his 2016 season. Nonetheless he's another cheap addition who has a real chance of becoming a productive starter. A trio of him, Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks could be quite formidable up front. That no doubt is what the Bears are hoping for. He's certainly motivated to prove he belongs.