Bears Veteran CB Accepts Minimum Deal to Stay in Chicago for Fifth Season
Bears Veteran CB Accepts Minimum Deal to Stay in Chicago for Fifth Season
Bears Veteran CB Accepts Minimum Deal to Stay in Chicago for Fifth Season
Chicago, IL. The Chicago Bears continued quietly shaping the depth of their secondary this offseason, keeping a familiar veteran in the building after the defensive back agreed to return on a team-friendly contract.
As the Bears navigate a disciplined free-agency approach under general manager Ryan Poles, the front office has focused on maintaining roster flexibility while preserving experienced depth pieces who understand the system.
That strategy led to another modest but meaningful move in the defensive backfield.
According to league reports, veteran cornerback Jaylon Jones has agreed to return to Chicago on a one-year contract worth approximately $1.2 million, accepting the league minimum salary for a player with four years of experience, roughly $1.1 million.
The move ensures Jones will remain with the Bears for a fifth season, continuing a journey that began when he originally joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Since then, he has carved out a reliable role as both a depth cornerback and a contributor on special teams.
During the 2025 season, Jones appeared in 15 games with one start, recording 16 total tackles and a forced fumble, while the majority of his impact came on special teams units.
His willingness to embrace that role has helped him maintain a steady presence on the roster despite heavy competition in the defensive backfield.
Jones returns to a crowded Bears cornerback group that includes standout defenders such as Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson, along with several younger players competing for roster spots.
By accepting a minimum deal rather than testing the open market, Jones signaled his desire to remain in Chicago and continue building his career within the organization that gave him his first NFL opportunity.
For the Bears, the signing reflects the type of move that rarely makes headlines but helps stabilize the roster. Keeping experienced depth players like Jones allows the team to maintain continuity while still preserving salary cap space for future moves.
And for the veteran cornerback, the decision represents another chance to prove his value — this time in what will be his fifth season wearing a Bears uniform.
