The Chicago Bears have reached agreement on a two-year, $12 million contract with tight end

According to a source familiar with the situation, the Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett on a two-year contract worth $12 million, with $6.1 million guaranteed.

The individual, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, revealed the arrangement since free agents cannot formally sign with new teams until Wednesday. ESPN was the first to report the news.

In addition to Everett, the Bears have strengthened their secondary by signing safety Jonathan Owens to a two-year contract, according to agent Sunny Shah of NFL Network. Owens, who is married to Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, offers valuable experience to the team.

Everett, who has 284 receptions for 2,833 yards and 19 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Chargers, provides depth to the Bears’ tight end position. Last season, he had 51 receptions for 411 yards and three touchdowns for the Chargers.

 

 

The addition of Everett gives the Bears a solid No. 2 option behind Cole Kmet, who is coming off a career-best season. After signing a four-year, $50 million contract extension through 2027 in July, Kmet set career highs in receptions (73), yards (719), and touchdowns (6).

Everett is familiar with the system, having previously worked with incoming Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron while with the Rams from 2017 to 2020 and Seattle in 2021.

Meanwhile, Owens, a Division II Missouri Western alum, played last season for the Green Bay Packers after four years in Houston. He started 11 of his 17 games with the Packers, recording three pass breakups and recovering a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Owens expressed his joy for the new opportunity, represented by a bear emoji with a downward arrow on X, while also thanking the Packers and their fans. In a series of tweets, Biles expressed her love for Chicago as well as her enthusiasm at being able to travel nonstop to see her spouse.

The Bears have been active this summer, signing Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a four-year, $76 million contract extension, acquiring the No. 1 and No. 9 overall picks in the upcoming draft, and adding players such as running back D’Andre Swift and veteran safety Kevin Byard.