The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent tight end Jesse James, NFL Network reported Sunday.
James was released by the Detroit Lions in March in the final days before the start of free agency.
James joins veteran Jimmy Graham and youngster Cole Kmet, a second-round pick in 2020, among the tight ends who will compete for snaps atop the Bears depth chart at training camp.
The 27-year-old James spent the previous two seasons with the Lions after spending his first four with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His production slipped in Detroit, where he combined for 30 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns in 32 games (18 starts) with the Lions.
In 88 career games (54 starts), James has 150 catches for 1,460 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Steelers originally drafted James in the fifth round (No. 160 overall) out of Penn State in 2015.
–Field Level Media