The Chicago Bears are bringing a new quarterback into the fold, as Trevor Siemian has agreed to a two-year deal, per his agent, Mike McCartney. The deal is worth $4 million, with a chance to make $5 million, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. Siemian joins the Bears after spending the past two seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He didn't see any action in 2020, but did play in six games with four starts in 2021.
This is a homecoming of sorts for Siemian, as he played his college ball at Northwestern. He threw for 5,931 yards, 27 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in four years with the Wildcats. Siemian was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and it's his stint with Denver that is most memorable.
In 2016, he started in 14 games and threw for 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while going 8-6. Siemian started the next season as well, but struggled and was eventually benched, going 5-5 with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Siemian was then traded to the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the 2018 season. He also spent time with the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans practice squad before finding his way to the Saints. Due to injuries to Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill this past season, Siemian played in six games with four starts. He threw for 1,154 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions, but went 0-4 as the starter and was eventually sent back to the bench for Hill.
Now 30-years-old, Siemian is a veteran backup who can be another positive voice in the ear of the young Justin Fields. Chicago also has Nick Foles still on roster, who the Bears have explored trades for, per NFL Media's Mike Garafolo. Foles has $1 million of his base salary guaranteed along with the $4 million roster bonus the Bears have paid him.
