The Chicago Bears made another addition to their roster, this time focusing on defense. They reached an agreement with safety Jonathan Owens.
This marks another signing for the Chicago Bears, following recent acquisitions of running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Gerald Everett. General manager Ryan Poles continues to strengthen the team, this time by enhancing the defensive unit with the addition of safety Jonathan Owens.
Owens, who entered the league as an undrafted rookie with the Houston Texans in 2019, spent the previous season with the Green Bay Packers. His signing provides valuable depth to the Bears’ secondary. Throughout his career, Owens has appeared in 48 games, earning 30 starts.
The Chicago Bears have Jaquan Brisker slated for strong safety duties and Kevin Byard at free safety, making Owens a reliable backup option. Given his versatility to play either safety position, Owens provides valuable depth. Brisker’s history of occasional absences, whether full games or partial appearances, underscores Owens’ importance as a capable substitute.
Owens epitomizes the resilient, hardworking ethos valued by the Chicago Bears organization, having transitioned from an undrafted rookie to a starter elsewhere. While he may not start in Chicago, he is expected to see considerable playing time, given his versatility and reliability.
With head coach Matt Eberflus managing defensive strategies, there’s an emphasis on utilizing players in various roles and deploying reserves to maintain freshness among the starters. Owens is anticipated to feature prominently in this approach, with his solid tackling ability, having missed only five tackles in the 2023 season, likely to bolster the Bears’ defensive performance, addressing a historical weakness in tackling.
In 2023, Owens contributed 84 tackles, deflected 3 passes, recovered a fumble for a touchdown, secured one sack, and forced one fumble. Over his career, he has amassed 227 tackles, deflected 8 passes, recovered 2 fumbles (one for a touchdown), registered 2 sacks, intercepted one pass, and forced one fumble.
Beyond his proficient tackling, Owens is recognized for his effectiveness in stopping the run, boasting one of the highest run-stopping ratings in the league in 2023. Given the Chicago Bears’ league-leading performance against the run, Owens’ addition bolsters their defensive strength.
Although Owens was the first defender to sign during the free agency negotiation period, he is the Bears’ second defensive acquisition. Byard was signed before the official period, having been released by the Philadelphia Eagles and subsequently cleared waivers.
With Byard and Brisker as starting safeties, and Owens and Elijah Hicks serving as reserves, along with cornerbacks Jaylom Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson, the Bears boast a formidable secondary, crucial in facing the formidable passers of the NFL.
In addition to his football prowess, Owens brings a touch of celebrity to the Bears, being married to Simone Biles, renowned as one of the greatest gymnasts in Olympic history. Biles is known to be a supportive presence at Owens’ games, and now she joins him in the vibrant city of Chicago.
While the Chicago Bears’ fan base may not include the star power of celebrities like Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, they can count on having a high-profile supporter in Simone Biles at their games. Should the Bears start winning, her presence could be just the beginning of a trend, with more celebrities likely to come out and show their support for the team.
