The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced they have agreed to terms with former Bears cornerback Tim Jennings.
Jennings, a Pro Bowl corner for the Bears in 2012 and 2013 who slumped in 2014, was released by the Bears on Sunday. He is guaranteed $4.4 million from the Bears this season, minus whatever the Buccaneers pay him. Terms of the deal were not announced.
Tampa was a logical landing spot for the 31-year-old Jennings, who played for Bucs’ head coach Lovie Smith with the Bears from 2010-12. Jennings tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions in Smith’s defense in 2012. He had four interceptions and made the Pro Bowl again under Marc Trestman and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. But coming off a subpar 2014 season (no interceptions) and offseason arthroscopic knee surgery, he was a tougher fit for Vic Fangio’s man-to-man defense.
It’ll be a bit of a reunion for the popular Jennings, a nine-year veteran. Lovie now has acquired five players who he had in Chicago: Jennings, defensive tackle Henry Melton, cornerback Isaiah Frey and safeties Major Wright and Chris Conte. He also has former Bears’ linebacker Khaseem Greene, who returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown in the Bucs’ 22-17 victory over the Dolphins in their preseason finale Thursday night.
