Potentially a question mark entering the offseason, the Chicago Bears quieted the doubters when they signed safety Tashaun Gipson to replace Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who departed in free agency. Clinton-Dix was persuaded by friend and former Alabama teammate to join the Bears on a one-year, “prove-it” deal, which turned into another one-year deal with the Cowboys.
In order to accommodate Clinton-Dix, All-Pro safety Eddie Jackson slid over to strong safety, taking him away from plays on the ball. Now that Jackson is back in his natural position at free safety, the Chicago Bears defense should get a significant boost.
Let’s review what the Bears safety room looks like as a whole.
Eddie Jackson
Back at free safety this season, Jackson should be more comfortable doing what he does best, which is making plays on the ball. The former fourth-round pick has quickly become one of the best safeties in the league, highlighted by an All-Pro year in 2018 where he tallied six interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
Both of Jackson’s interceptions last year came in desperation mode for the opposition, but the Bears will be counting on him to create turnovers this year.
Tashaun Gipson
Gipson is in Chicago on a similar “prove-it” deal as Clinton-Dix. Signed to an extremely team-friendly one-year, $1.1 million deal, the former Texan could cash-in next offseason with a big season. Gipson will turn 30 in August, but he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, bringing in three interceptions, and bringing one back to the house last year.
Looking at his advanced statistics, Gipson allowed a 54.1 completion percentage along with a 55.0 quarterback rating and responsible for one touchdown. He was used heavily in blitz packages, causing two quarterback knockdowns. Of concern, he’ll need to improve the number of missed tackles, as he recorded the eighth-worst missed tackle percentage (13.6) on the Texans in 2019.
Deon Bush
Bush was the presumptive starter until the Bears signed Gipson. The former fifth-round pick out of Miami has played sparingly thus far in four years. During the 2018 season, Bush started two games in place of Jackson, who injured his ankle in the NFC North-clinching game against the Packers.
He had a forced fumble and eight tackles, including one for loss, receiving a 76.6 grade from PFF for the 2018 season. Last year, Bush regressed in 58 defensive snaps, allowing a 66.7 completion percentage and a 126.4 quarterback rating. Still, he provides excellent depth in the safety room.
Kentrell Brice
Brice is the latest former Green Bay Packer to make their way into Chicago, following Clinton-Dix and tight end Jimmy Graham. In 2019, Brice played in 14 games, including ten starts, and recorded 50 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss. He also had two pass deflections and a sack.
However, he allowed a 78.1 completion percentage and was responsible for four touchdowns. Unless an injury occurs, Brice will be limited to a depth role on the Bears, potentially seeing time on special teams as well.
Jordan Lucas
Lucas adds solid depth to the Bears safety room, having already played four years in the league. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Dolphins in the 2016 NFL Draft and played in all 16 games in the 2018 campaign, including four starts.
The former Penn State product logged one interception, two pass deflections, a sack and 32 combined tackles that year. Last year, he was limited to a backup role for the Chiefs, playing in 14 games. Lucas had one pass deflection and allowed a 68.7 quarterback rating.
Sherrick McManis
The Bears’ longest-tenured player, McManis has been a valuable depth piece in eight years with the team. He didn’t play much last year and was placed on injured reserve due to a groin injury. However, in 2018, McManis saw time in 15 games, allowing a 54.5 completion percentage and a 65.1 quarterback rating. Unless something significant happens, he’ll continue to see the majority of his playing time on special teams, where he has been fantastic.
DeAndre Houston-Carson
Similar to McManis, Houston-Carson has primarily been limited to a special teams role in his four NFL season, logging 81 percent of the snaps there in 2019. In 2018, “DHC” played 46 snaps on defense, allowing a 66.7 completion percentage and a 100.7 quarterback rating. He’ll continue to provide valuable contributions to the special teams unit in 2020.
