The Chicago Bears have been one of the most active teams this offseason. Back in April, they brought in a wide range of depth and talent from the NFL Draft. Furthermore, they made a splurge during free agency, spending a good chunk of money to upgrade the roster on both sides of the ball.
With a logjam at a number of positions, such as center, defensive tackle and in the secondary, Chicago may be cutting one of the team's fan favorites who joined the Bears last offseason.
Jonathan Owens is married to the gymnast and female Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. He was pried away from their rival, the Green Bay Packers. Now, he could be on the outside looking in on making the Chicago Bears' final roster.
So why could this fan favorite be cut from the Chicago Bears?
First, Owens is not under contract after this season. He signed a two-year deal in early 2024 to leave Lambeau Field and declare Soldier Field his new home. So in no way, shape, or form are the Monsters from Midway on the hook for him after 2025.
As cited before by Pro Football Reference, "He [Owens] was targeted 16 times in coverage, allowing 12 receptions, 4 of which were touchdowns, and a 130.2 passer rating against him. His missed tackle rate was also over 9%, his highest in three seasons."
Owens did record an interception and forced a fumble in 2024. Unfortunately, he had a down year in regards to his total tackles. He went from 84 in 2023 with the Packers to just 49 last year with the Bears.
Both Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III are slated to be the team's starting safeties. Chicago still has their late seventh-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, Elijah Hicks, on their roster, too.
With a strong showing at either training camp or the preseason, Hicks or Alex Cook could leapfrog Owens. Hicks turns 26 midseason while Cook enters this season at 26, as well. Owens is almost 30, a few years older than both.
Age might not be the only factor involved in deciding on parting ways with the seven-year veteran. If cut, Chicago would benefit in saving more than $1 million towards the salary cap. That allows them to maneuver with the remaining cap space to fill any other hole, even if its not another safety or cornerback.
The Bears have already demonstrated their willingness to move on from other talented fan favorites. To date, Chicago has cut tight end Gerald Everett and has chosen not to pursue a contract with Keenan Allen. Both former Chargers players had high hopes from both the locker room and fans to excel.
The deadline for all 32 NFL teams to finalize their 53-man rosters is Tuesday, August 27 by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Owens could be joining Everett and Allen on the unemployment line. Only time will tell.