Bears bringing Jones back - two-year deal

The Bears re-signed backup running back Kevin Jones late Friday afternoon to a two-year, $3.5 million contract.

The Bears and Jones, who became an unrestricted free agent Feb. 27, hope he can contribute more than he did last season, when he had just 34 carries for 109 yards, a 3.2-yard average. Jones carried 13 times for 45 yards in the 2008 season opener and four weeks later had 10 carries for 36 yards against his former team, the Detroit Lions. But in the final 11 games, he had just 4 carries for 2 yards and was inactive five times.

Jones' deal calls for $1 million in guaranteed bonus money this season, a $500,000 signing bonus and a $500,000 roster bonus. His base salary is $1 million this season and $1.15 million in 2010. He has a workout bonus worth $350,000 in '10.

Two weeks ago at the NFL's annual Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Bears coach Lovie Smith hinted that Jones would be back and that he might have an increased role as the backup to rookie Matt Forte.

"Do we need a good complement to go along with him?" Smith said of Forte. "Yes, we're always trying to do that. I think as you look at our history since we've been here as a staff, I think we've had our most productive years when we had two running backs that we really felt comfortable playing, and you would like to get back to that situation. Maybe we have that complement there right now."

Jones, who earlier visited the Buffalo Bills, was a first-round pick (30th overall) in 2004 and rushed for 1,133 yards as a rookie. He suffered a torn ACL in December 2007 and was cut by the Lions the following March. The Bears signed him just before training camp started last year.