Bears re-sign Kevin Jones

The Bears second move of the free agency was just as mundane and uninspiring as the first. On Friday the team agreed to bring ex-Lion Kevin Jones back on a two-year, $3.5 million deal.

Jones was a disappointment most of last season, failing to lighten the work load for rookie Matt Forte and with only 34 carries on the season. However, at the start of the season Jones was only eight months removed from ACL surgery.

Given that it normally takes at least a year to fully recover from a reconstructive knee procedure, Jones and the Bears are both betting they’ll see the player who looked like an emerging star back in Detroit. That player could take a hundred carries away from Matt Forte without the Bears offense missing a beat.

Jones signing also gives the Bears another draft pick to play with in April. Without Jones on the roster the Bears would be looking for a backup to compete with Garrett Wolfe somewhere in the draft. Now they can focusing on using all six picks on more pressing needs.

Additionally, Kevin Jones willingness to play special teams down the stretch last year might save the Bears a roster spot. With both Wolfe and Jones capable special teams contributor the Bears could afford to let long time special teams ace Adrian Peterson go.

But most importantly, as un-sexy as the signing of Kevin Jones is, it answers an important question of who’ll be splitting time with Forte. That may not fix any of the Bears glaring holes, but it could be one small piece to the final solution.