Jacob Martin is set to join a sixth career NFL team. The veteran defensive end signed a one-year deal with the Bears on Saturday, per a team announcement.
The 28-year-old was drafted by the Seahawks in 2018, but he only spent a single season in Seattle. Martin’s longest run with one team came from 2019-21 during his time with the Texans. He started 14 of 17 games during his final campaign in Houston, and his four sacks from that year remain the highest single-season total of that career.
Over the past two years, Martin has bounced around the league. The Temple product split his time between the Jets and Broncos in 2022, seeing himself traded from New York to Denver in November of that year. He was limited to five games with the Broncos due to injury, so it came as no surprise he was again a free agent last offseason. Martin originally re-joined the Texans, but he was among the team’s final roster cuts.
That set up another AFC South agreement, as the former sixth-rounder signed with the Colts ahead of the regular season beginning. Martin suited up for all 17 contests last season, but his defensive snap share (16%) was the lowest of his career. He recorded seven tackles, two sacks and four QB pressures while operating in a strictly second-team role.
Martin will aim to carve out a larger role in Chicago, a team in need of additions along the edge. 2023 trade acquisition Montez Sweat is in place as the anchor at the defensive end spot, having inked a monster extension upon arrival in the Windy City. Both Yannick Ngakoue and Rasheem Green joined the Bears as free agents last offseason, but they did so on one-year deals. Neither has been re-signed, leaving room for an addition in the form of Martin. Still, edge rush will no doubt remain a priority during next month’s draft for Chicago.
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