Getting to Know: New Bears DB Jonathan Owens |
You can't fault the Bears for being aggressive during this first wave of free agency, as Ryan Poles is doing his best to turn this team into a contender. Part of that comes from adding names like D'Andre Swift and other high-profile players to fill holes in this roster.
Another way you can do this is by adding tons of depth options capable of making a difference on this team. The Bears did that earlier when they added Gerald Everett and came away with another big pickup as former Green Bay Packers DB Jonathan Owens will call Chicago home for the next two years. Owens is coming off a season in which he collected 84 tackles with the Packers after spending his first four seasons with the Houston Texans. The 28-year-old burst onto the scene this past season with the Packers while his wife, USA Gymnast Simone Bilas, took center stage. Like Taylor Swift was for the Chiefs, Bilas was for the Packers, although she did it in a much quieter way. Drafted by the Texans in 2019, Owens didn't see much time on the field. He played in one game in 2019 and only six in 2020. In 2021, Owens played a bit more, but after only seeing action in seven games, he played in less than a full season's worth of games despite being in the league for three years. It wasn't until 2022 that Owens finally got his opportunity, which proved vital for the Texans. During that 2022 season, Owens started in all 17 games, racking up an impressive 125 tackles. Those are great numbers for any defensive player, but to have that come from a DB is unheard of, as he was always around the ball. Along with those 125 tackles, Owens picked up his first career sack after registering his first career interception in 2021. That production alone saw several teams looking to add him, and it was the Packers who came calling, inking him into a one-year deal. Not knowing what to expect, Owens quickly emerged as a vital piece of the Joe Berry defense and was soon counted on more than anyone anticipated. Owens played in every game for the second straight season, but he started 11 of those 17 games, with most of those coming during the second half of the season. Although his tackles were down from 125 to 84, that's not always a bad thing, as you don't want your DB to be the one making all your tackles. Despite not coming away with an interception for the second straight season, Owens managed to break up for passes while also scooping up a fumble and returning it for a 37-yard TD. Like the Everett signing earlier, this isn't one of those deals that is going to get the needle moving. Instead, it can be viewed as a depth piece for a player who has started to come into his own. This deal also comes extremely cheap for the Bears, as Owens will make 4.5 million over the course of the deal, giving the Bears an easy out should he not produce at the level the Bears expect him to. Primarily a CB, Owens has spent the past two seasons as a safety and will give the Bears some much-needed depth. With Jaquon Brisker and Kevin Byard expected to be the starting safeties this season, Owens will be brought in as a depth piece who can also play the CB position if needed. This is one thing that Poles has done extremely well with, as he has a knack for making under-the-radar signings. Sometimes, they work out in his favor, and sometimes, they don't, but you will never know if you don't take the risk. A deal like this isn't risky at all when you look at the financials, as this could be one of those diamond-in-the-rough signings for Chicago. Simone Biles has won Chicago fans hearts in a few tweets!! #BEARS pic.twitter.com/RSd4qOaEAB
