Do you remember when an NFL commentator called Simone Biles’ husband, Jonathan Owens, “Mr. Biles” after he recovered a fumble for the Chicago Bears against the Tennessee Titans on September 8, 2024? It was meant as a joke, but some fans didn’t take it too kindly. One comment even said, “Be real [nobody knew] who the dude was until they found out he was with Simone Biles …” While the nickname was playful, the reason behind it is clear: Owens is married to Simone, one of the biggest names in gymnastics. Every aspiring gymnast and champion knows who she is, so the connection naturally drew attention. Still, some fans watch NFL just for the Biles only as she is there to support her husband in a game!

As Owens is currently on a break from the NFL, there’s growing speculation about his future in the league. A recent publication on DaWindyCity suggests the Chicago Bears might be considering roster changes under the new coaching staff, which could mean parting ways with some familiar faces. Owens, who signed a two-year, $4.75 million contract with $1.5 million guaranteed last offseason, has been a reliable special teams player. However, his role moving forward may change. While he could be an affordable depth option for a new head coach, the potential roster overhaul could leave Owens’ future with the Bears uncertain.

Owens is set to cost the Bears less than $2 million against the salary cap. However, if the team decides to release him, they could save over $1.5 million. That means the Bears would only lose around $500,000 of cap space (the difference between what he costs and what they’d save) if they cut him. Financially, it’s not a huge hit, but with a new coaching staff and potential roster changes, every dollar saved could count, especially when paired with performance concerns.

Looking at his 2024 season stats, Simone Biles’ husband Owens was targeted 16 times in coverage. Out of those, 12 passes were completed against him, including 4 that ended in touchdowns. That’s a lot. His QB rating allowed in coverage was a high 130.2 (lower is better), and he missed tackles 9% of the time—his worst rate in three years. With the Bears likely looking for younger, cheaper, and more consistent players, Owens’ future on the roster seems uncertain. At 30 years old, the team might decide to go with someone who has more upside.

Now, to give you some context on ratings, Owens’ EA Sports’ official Madden NFL ratings is 77—not terrible, but not exactly standout either. Compare that to someone like Patrick Mahomes, who’s sitting pretty with a 97 rating, and you can see the gap. The numbers make it clear: Owens might not be the dependable option the Bears need moving forward. When news about his potential release surfaced on Reddit, fans weren’t exactly sympathetic.

Fans express frustration over Simone Biles’ husband Owens’ performance

One fan bluntly added, “Get him the f**k out and maybe we get a better safety who can do his job.” Another chimed in, saying, “He’s extremely replaceable.” It’s not just Owens’ performance on the field that’s bothering fans, but his actions off it as well. For example, about a week ago, Owens was mocked for a failed attempt at the iconic Lambeau Leap after a fumble recovery. Owens, a former Green Bay Packer, tried to celebrate by jumping into the stands at Lambeau Field. But things went wrong—he collided with the padding instead of landing in the crowd, and to make matters worse, he slipped on ice after landing, falling to the ground. This moment, unfortunately, became another point of ridicule for Owens, as he is the husband of an 11x Olympic medalist.

Fans and commentators didn’t hold back at that time. Fox’s Kevin Kugler quipped, “Jonathan Owens tried it, the former Packer who’s married to one of the great leapers of all time in Simone Biles, who had to be shaking her head when she saw that.” Social media piled on; one even joked, “Mr. Simone Biles is unathletic.” Packers fans added their touch, pushing Owens back onto the field as part of the tradition. Despite Owens’ fumble recovery contributing to the Bears’ win, it was his failed leap that quickly became the highlight of the game, though his wife is Simone Biles.

Another fan weighed in about Owens potentially not being part of the Bears anymore, saying, “I’m not remotely losing sleep over this decision.” Another sarcastically added, “Always seems to make plays, what am I missing?” This sparked a response from a different fan, who shared a screenshot from Pro Football Reference that read, “Owens was targeted in coverage 16 times, allowed 12 receptions, including 4 touchdowns. His QB rating in coverage was 130.2, and his missed tackle rate was over 9%, his highest in three seasons.” The fan followed up with, “Maybe you need a new TV…” Another fan jumped in, commenting, “If your first comment was sarcastic, you gotta warn a brother.” The sarcasm was definitely flying, and Owens’ struggles on the field were taking center stage.

One more fan added, “But Simone…” implying that the real issue wasn’t Owens himself, but rather the absence of Simone Biles, who had been a consistent presence in the stands supporting her husband. Since the Olympics and the Gold Over America tour wrapped up, Simone has been in Chicago, often spotted wearing outfits with Owens’ face or showing her support in other ways. Another fan replied, “Yeah, that is the thing I will miss the most as well.” As for Owens’ future with the team, it’s still uncertain whether he’ll be removed from the roster, but only time will tell. What are your thoughts on the situation? Comment below and let us know!