The Bears on Monday signed defensive end Byron Cowart to a one-year contract.
Cowart, 27, has appeared in 36 NFL games with 14 starts over three seasons with the Patriots (2019-20) and Colts (2022), registering 41 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack and one pass breakup.
Cowart was selected by New England in the fifth round of the 2019 draft out of Maryland. After appearing in five games as a rookie, all as a reserve, he started all 14 games he played in 2020, recording 27 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and 1.0 sack.
After missing the 2021 season with an injury, Cowart was waived by the Patriots July 22, 2022, and claimed by the Colts. The 6-3, 300-pounder appeared in all 17 games for Indianapolis, compiling 12 tackles and two tackles-for-loss.
Last year Cowart spent part of the offseason with the Chiefs, training camp with the Texans and most of the season on the Dolphins practice squad.
