Bears sign former Chiefs DL Jaye Howard to a one-year deal

One day after he left Halas Hall without a deal, former Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard signed a one-year contract.

Pro Football Focus ranked Howard as the second-best 3-4 defensive end against the run last season. If healthy — he was put on injured reserve with a hip-flexor problem in 2016 — he will compete for a starting job with Jonathan Bullard, the Bears’ third-round pick in 2016, and Mitch Unrein.

The Bears didn’t draft a defensive lineman, but they like two of their returning starters: defensive end Akiem Hicks, who has one year left on a two-year deal, and nose tackle Eddie Goldman.

Just a year ago, Howard was one of the league’s most coveted free-agent defensive linemen. After starting 14 games and getting 5½ sacks, he signed a two-year, $10 million deal to stay in Kansas City, receiving $8.3 million guaranteed. The Chiefs cut him April 22 with a failed-physical designation.

The 6-3, 301-pound Florida alum was selected by the Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2012 draft.

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