Chiefs rumors: Jaye Howard set to visit Chicago Bears

Former Chiefs DL Jaye Howard is taking his first free agent visit since being surprisingly released with a trip to meet the Chicago Bears.

Just before the 2017 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs surprised most fans and analysts with the release of veteran defensive tackle Jaye Howard. The move gave the Chiefs a bit of cap space, but was met with questions concerning the timing of the release since the savings itself wasn’t that much. No matter the explanation, Howard is moving on with his NFL career with his first free agent visit yet to the Chicago Bears.

Howard ended up finishing the 2016 regular season on injured reserve after missing three games with a hip injury. Currently rehabbing the injury, it’s unclear whether he was behind where the Chiefs wanted him to be or not. Perhaps that was part of the timing of his release after veterans like Howard reported back for offseason training activities.

Either way, Howard was in the final year of his contract with the Chiefs, a two-year, $10 million deal signed in 2015 that kept the veteran for a nice price, if healthy. Howard’s last contract year brought about a career-high in almost every category. If the Bears or someone else signs Howard, they’re likely to get a highly motivated veteran ready to cash in for another multi-year deal (and also out to prove the Chiefs were wrong).

Howard would likely slot in as a starter at defensive end in the Bears base, opposite of Akiem Hicks and next to Eddie Goldman.