The Bears have agreed to terms with defensive lineman Jarvis Jenkins on a one-year contract, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Jenkins is scheduled to take a physical later today, at which point the signing will become official. Per Biggs, the one-year deal is a minimum salary benefit contract with a partial guarantee.
Jenkins, who turns 27 next month, spent his first four NFL seasons with Washington, but was no longer in the team’s plans after Scot McCloughan and company brought in Terrance Knighton, Stephen Paea, and Ricky Jean-Francois this month to fortify the defensive line.
In 2014, Jenkins had a career-high 28 tackles, but didn’t record a sack, and ranked as the third-worst 3-4 defensive end out of 47 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). Having played in the 3-4 system in Washington, Jenkins should be a fit in Chicago, as new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio prepares to transition the defense into a 3-4 unit.
Biggs also notes that Jenkins has been texting frequently with free agent linebacker Mason Foster, who was said earlier this month to be in talks with the Bears. While there’s still no indication that anything is done between Foster and the team, his contact with Jenkins may be another sign that he’ll eventually land in Chicago.