PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Bears on Tuesday signed unrestricted free agent quarterback Trevor Siemian to a two-year contract.
Siemian, 30, has appeared in 33 NFL games with 29 starts over six seasons with the Broncos (2015-17), Vikings (2018), Jets (2019), Titans (2020) and Saints (2020-21). He has completed 58.9 percent of his passes for 6,843 yards with 41 touchdowns, 27 interceptions and an 81.2 passer rating.
"We are excited about adding Trevor and the wealth of knowledge and experience he brings to our QB room," said Bears general manager Ryan Poles. "We would like to thank Mike McCartney for helping bring him to Chicago."
Siemian was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2015 draft out of Northwestern. As a rookie, he played just one snap—taking a knee at the end of the first half in a game against the Steelers—but won a Super Bowl ring as Denver defeated the Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.
Following the retirement of Peyton Manning, Siemian won a training camp competition for the No. 1 job in 2016. As a result, he became the first quarterback in league history to start a season opener for a defending Super Bowl champion without having thrown an NFL pass.
Siemian opened 14 games in 2016 and 10 contests in 2017 for the Broncos, connecting on 59.3 percent of his passes for 5,686 yards with 30 TDs, 24 interceptions and a 79.9 passer rating.
The 6-3, 220-pounder was traded to the Vikings in 2018, but he did not see any playing time while backing up Kirk Cousins.
Siemian signed with the Jets in 2019 and made one start in place of Sam Darnold, who was sidelined with mononucleosis. But after throwing just six passes, Siemian sustained a season-ending ankle injury.
Siemian joined the Titans in 2020, opening the season on Tennessee's practice squad. Later in the year he was signed by the Saints following an injury to Drew Brees. Siemian returned to New Orleans last season, making four starts and completing 57.4 percent of his passes for 1,154 yards with 11 TDs, three interceptions and an 88.4 passer rating.
At the NFL owners meetings, Poles explained why the Bears preferred Siemian as their No. 2 quarterback over veteran Nick Foles behind starter Justin Fields.
"In this offense, I think he's a better fit," Poles said of Siemian. "And I also just, in terms of a guy who has been behind Peyton and Brees, there's also a wealth of knowledge he can bring to Justin as well."
