13 March 2024 , 03:01
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Jonathan Owens, who is married to Team USA Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, is switching NFL teams after getting an offer too good to pass up. After one season with the Green Bay Packers, Owens signed a free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears.
Reports have it that Owens will pocket $4.5 million (£3.52m) from his new two-year deal with Chicago, which is more than he's earned in his entire NFL career. Previously, he took home just over $3 million (£2.34m) in his first five seasons, according to data from Spotrac.
The safety had a brilliant run at Lambeau Field and gave fans an unforgettable moment in 2023 when he picked up a fumble on Thanksgiving Day and ran it into the end zone for a 27-yard defensive touchdown, stunning the Detroit Lions.
When the season ended with a gut-wrenching playoff defeat against the San Francisco 49ers, it seemed Owens might stick around in Green Bay for the long haul. He shared a message on social media that suggested as much, writing alongside yellow and green hearts, "Didn't end the way we envisioned but we put the world on notice, appreciate the support. Only up from here."
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Owens' career is in stark contrast to Biles'. He began his journey as an undrafted player who had to battle his way into regular NFL playing time. He first made his mark with the Houston Texans before going to the Packers.
Biles was a young star who made her big debut at the 2016 Olympics as a teenager. However, she has had to deal with mental health issues in recent years, including at the Tokyo Games where she had to pull out.
"She brings the best out of me," Owens told the Packers' official website last summer. "Just watching her and how she worked every day going into the Olympics - her focus and her drive - it just makes you want to get up and do something because your partner is doing that."
Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles married Green Bay Packers star Jonathan Owens in 2023 (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Talking about his own career, Owens said: "It was just about being patient and waiting for that opportunity and Houston gave me that opportunity on practice squad. I was overjoyed to have that opportunity … and I'm still here, man, fighting. It was all part of the journey."
He added during a separate chat with the media during the 2023 season: "I've put in a lot of hard work and everything's going to happen how it's supposed to as long as you prepare for the moment. You have to go out and take advantage of it."
Biles was thrilled that his hard work paid off with the biggest contract of his career. "CHICAGO HERE HE COMES," Biles wrote after his signing was announced on Tuesday.