Former Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard is visiting the Bears, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
The 28-year-old Howard became a free agent when the Chiefs released him April 23 in a cost-cutting move. Howard, a fourth-round pick of the Seahawks in 2012, joined the Chiefs in his second year and ended up spending four seasons with the club. Kansas City was quite reliant on Howard from 2014-16, when he started in 29 of 40 regular-season appearances and piled up 7.5 sacks, 5.5 of which came in 2015.
Howard only suited up eight times and made five starts last year, as a hip injury ended his season in November. During his limited action in 2016, Howard added 23 tackles and a sack, and ranked 55th in performance among Pro Football Focus‘ 127 qualified interior defensive linemen.
If he signs with Chicago – which, like Kansas City, utilizes a 3-4 defensive alignment – Howard would figure to line up at both tackle and end, as he has previously. The Bears finished last season 28th in DVOA against the run, so Howard could perhaps help them improve in that aspect. He’d also provide insurance behind nose tackle Eddie Goldman, who missed most of last season, and give the Bears another end option to join a group including Akiem Hicks, Mitch Unrein and 2016 third-rounder Jonathan Bullard.