Simone Biles reacts to Jonathan Owens’ decision to sign with Chicago Bears

Of course, there’s another reason for Simone Biles to be excited about moving to Chicago. With two airports – O’Hare and Midway – she will be able to take direct flights from her home outside Houston to watch Owens play home games at Soldier Field.

That was another part of her reaction.

Owens started 11 games out of his 17 appearances in Green Bay, totaling 84 tackles and two tackles for loss. It was a solid follow-up to the biggest year of his career in 2022 when he had 125 tackles and his first career sack for the Texans.

Owens signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri Western State after the 2018 NFL Draft, but was waived due to injury. He then latched on with Houston and started all 17 games in 2022.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are set to become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline comes the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.