Bears Sign Former Northwestern QB Siemian To 2-Year Deal: Agent

CHICAGO ­— As the Chicago Bears continue to retool their roster under new general manager Ryan Poles, they are turning to a familiar name for local college football fans to provide depth behind starting quarterback Justin Fields.

The Bears have signed former Northwestern quarterback Trevor Siemian to a two-year contract, Siemian’s agent announced Thursday night. The NFL Network reported that the deal is expected to pay Siemian $4 million with the possibility his contract value could increase to $5 million.

The Bears have not yet formally announced the deal.

Siemian signed with the Denver Broncos as a seventh-round pick out of Northwestern in 2015. Siemian started four games last season with the New Orleans Saints and will now return to Chicago and will compete with veteran Nick Foles for the back-up job to Fields. Siemian also started one game for the New York Jets in 2019 but has played sparingly since starting 14 games in Denver in 2016.

Foles has one year remaining on his contract and counts as $10.66 million against the salary cap should he remain on the roster. The NFL Network reported Friday that the Bears have explored trading Foles, whose dead cap number stands at $7.66 million.

Foles was the third-string option behind Fields and Andy Dalton last season, but with Dalton being a free agent, the backup job opens up. Siemian has made 29 career NFL starts, which the Bears viewed as valuable as they continue to develop Fields, who struggled at times during his rookie season.