Are the Chicago Bears Preparing to Sign RB Josh Jacobs?

It’s beginning to feel like a foregone conclusion that the Chicago Bears will sign a running back from this year’s free-agency market. The class includes some superstar runners, including Saquon Barkley (New York Giants) and Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders).

One of those running backs has an interest in joining the Bears, too.

According to former Bears fullback Jason McKie, there’s a mutual interest between the Bears and Jacobs in joining forces. McKie’s source? His agent … who’s also Josh Jacobs’ agent.

McKie shared his intel during his appearance on ESPN 1000s Chicago Bears Podcast:

THE CHICAGO BEARS PODCAST @ChicagoBears and Josh Jacobs have a mutual interest

full show: https://t.co/neQ9rnTBPo pic.twitter.com/LRnzNEPDsw

— ESPN 1000 (@ESPN1000) March 6, 2024

Josh Jacobs is the most logical target of all the running backs in this year’s free-agent market. He’s the youngest—26—and has proven he can be one of the NFL’s dominant runners. He led the NFL in rushing in 2022 with 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jacobs also averaged a fantastic 4.9 yards per carry that season.

Jacobs began his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and has surpassed 1,000 yards in three of his five years in the league. He ran for 805 yards and six scores in 13 games last year despite playing with a hodgepodge of quarterbacks in what can only be described as a mess of an offense.

Josh Jacobs may end up being the priciest free-agent running back, but that’s what happens when youth and production are on your resume. According to Spotrac, Jacobs’ market value is around $10.5 million per season, and his projected contract will approach three years, $31.7 million.

The Chicago Bears are among the few teams who can afford to spend big money on a running back this offseason. They rank in the top five in the NFL in salary cap space, and if they select Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they’ll reset their quarterback clock (which means they can spend on luxury positions).

The smoke around the Bears signing a running back is getting thicker by the day, which usually means there’s a fire somewhere behind it.