Bears’ Jonathan Owens missing some of training camp to support wife Simone Biles at Paris Olympics

CHICAGO — One of the Bears’ most significant offseason signings will miss some of training camp for a pivotal role: supportive husband.

When Simone Biles competes in the Paris Olympic games later this summer, her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, will be on a different sideline of sorts to cheer her on. Biles said that while their schedules don’t always align, the Bears excused Owens for a portion of training camp.

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“The Bears are actually granting him a couple of days off from training camp, so he’ll be there, yes, for just a short little time,” Biles told reporters on Sunday, June 30.

Rookies report to Bears training camp on July 16. Veterans report three days later on July 19. Opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics begins Friday, July 26 and will conclude on Aug. 11.

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The Bears signed Owens to a 2-year, $4.5 million deal. He joined safeties Kevin Byard and 2022 second-round pick Jaquan Brisker in the Bears’ secondary. Owens last played for the Bears’ NFC North-rival Green Bay Packers.

Biles and Owens married in the spring of 2023.

Biles, 27, is the oldest American woman to make the Olympic gymnastics team in more than 70 years. Already one of the most celebrated American gymnasts, Biles spoke on Sunday about her motivation to compete at this year’s Olympic games in France.

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“This is definitely our redemption tour,” Biles said of herself and fellow gymnasts Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee and Jade Carey. “I feel like we all have more to give and our Tokoyo performances weren’t the best. We weren’t under the best circumstances either, but I feel like we have a lot of weight on our shoulders to go out there and prove that we’re better athletes. We’re more mature. We’re smarter, we’re more consistent.

“I think we’re going to hit it out of the ballpark.”

The Bears will play the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame game on Thursday, Aug. 1. The Canton, Ohio-area matchup is Chicago’s first of four preseason outings.

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