Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard told the Chicago Sun-Times that his recent release was humbling.
Jaye Howard has legitimate reason to be excited to be with the Chicago Bears. To hear him tell the story, the former Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman tried to join the Windy City franchise in free agency a year ago, only the two sides were too far apart on money. When the dust settled, Chiefs general manager John Dorsey found the money to re-sign the veteran on a two-year, $10 million deal.
After a season cut short by a hip injury, however, the Chiefs decided earlier this offseason to cut him loose. Looking back on the event, Howard calls the experience “humbling” and says it’s motivating to him to return to form with the Bears and show teams both new and old what he’s still capable of doing.
"“It’s a humbling experience, and something I’m learning from every day,” he said. “It has motivated me to continue to work hard and show the rest of the league that I’m still a dominant player.”"
Howard signed a one-year deal with the Bears early in May, which gives the Bears a solid, versatile lineman to add to their defensive front (which went ignored in the team’s recent draft class). Even with the injury, Howard showed he was stout against the run last season and in his last contract year in 2015, he also showed the ability to penetrate the pocket and get after the passer to the tune of 5.5 sacks. The Bears would certainly love to see that sort of production once again.
Howard originally entered the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.