A week later, the Bears have their second free-agent signing.
This time they lured back veteran running back Kevin Jones as he agreed to a $3.5 million, two-year contract Friday afternoon. Jones is looking forward to being a bigger part of the offense in 2009 after he saw only limited playing time last season, getting just 34 carries and only 21 after the season opener. But the former first-round pick maintained all along that he wanted to return and did so after a recruiting trip to Buffalo where the Bills offered him a contract.
“He looked at last year as kind of a bounce-back year for him,” agent Drew Rosenhaus said. “Kevin looks at this year as one in which he can really contribute and be a big part of the team and offense and work well with Matt Forte. A lot of the league is going to multiple running back attacks and hopefully he can contribute in that capacity. He felt close to the Bears’ coaches, players and the entire organization and although the Bills made a wonderful effort to sign him it was hard to leave. He’s a very loyal person.”
According to a league source, Jones receives $1 million in bonus money–a $500,000 signing bonus and a $500,000 roster bonus. His base salary this year will be $1 million. He was a workout bonus worth $350,000 in 2010 and a base salary of $1.15 million.
The Bears remain hopeful that they will be able to sign John St. Clair. Veteran minicamp begins March 16. The Bears made their first free-agent signing a few hours into the shopping season last week when they signed offensive lineman Frank Omiyale to a $11.5 million, four-year contract.
