The Chiefs cut defensive lineman Jaye Howard this offseason due to injury concerns. But Howard was still able to find a team willing to pay him for his services this upcoming season.
On Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Howard signed a contract with the Bears. Schefter previously reported that Howard visited the Bears on Wednesday and passed his physical, but was set to visit other teams. He apparently settled on Chicago.
So, Bears Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long's effort were not made in vain.
Just met Jaye Howard. He's as scary in person as he is on film. Bears fans, I don't know his twitter but dude shouldn't leave the city!
— Kyle (@Ky1eLong) May 3, 2017
That's a nice addition for the Bears, whose strength is arguably their defensive front. The Bears already feature good pass-rushers in Pernell McPhee, Willie Young, and Leonard Floyd. They already have solid linemen in Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman. Adding a player of Howard's caliber this late in free agency is a heck of a signing.
Health is the key. There's a reason why Howard, 28, was unsigned in May. Cut by the Chiefs in late April, Howard ended the season on injured reserve due to a hip injury. But if he can stay healthy, he will bolster the Bears' defensive front. When he played in all 16 games in 2015, he registered 5.5 sacks and 57 combined tackles. But a year ago, he went for just one sack and 23 combined tackles in eight games.
This kind of signing won't turn the Bears into a contender for an obvious reason (they're lacking talent in other areas), but it'll help bolster a defense that has a chance to be sneaky good in 2017. It's the perfect kind of low-risk, high-reward signing for a rebuilding team like Chicago.
