Chicago Bears: Expect Deon Bush to Make a Big Splash This Season

Chicago Bears’ rookie Deon Bush has the opportunity to do something that so many before him have tried (and failed) to accomplish . . . bring stability to the Bears’ safety position.

For years, the Chicago Bears’ safety position has been a nightmare. Ever since standout Mike Brown left following the 2008 season, it’s been a revolving door in the backend of the defense—and it hasn’t fielded very good results.

From Al Afalava to Major Wright to (shudder) Chris Conte, the Bears’ recent struggles on defense can be directly related to their inability to find two reliable starting safeties.

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However, as the team heads in the 2016 season, they should feel fairly confident that they have at least one capable safety—Adrian Amos—on the roster. Amos, who has displayed more leadership skills this training camp, had an impressive debut as a fifth-round rookie last season.  He started all 16 games, and while he failed to record an interception, he was third on the team in tackles (67) and showed the instincts that are required for starting NFL safeties.

The future is bright for Amos, and the Bears sure hope that the same is true for rookie Deon Bush. Bush, a fourth-round pick from Miami, is in a battle with second-year pro Harold Jones-Quartey for the starting strong safety spot. While Jones-Quartey has the leg up in terms of experience (four starts in 2015), Bush certainly has an edge in terms of physicality and brute strength, and being a member of general manager Ryan Pace’s draft class could give him the inside track to the job (Jones-Quartey was not drafted by the Bears; he was claimed off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals last year).

In college, Bush was a very successful player. He was an honorable mention All-ACC honoree last season (50 tackles, 6 passes defended, 1 interception), and was named to the All-Good Works team after he donated money for Christmas gifts for homeless children.

When watching tape, the one thing that jumps off the page with Bush (6’0”, 199 lbs.) is his physical style of play. In the run game, Bush attacks downhill, sets his feet, and explodes into the running back. While he usually looks to wrap-up the ball carrier, Bush will sometimes simply throw his body around and deliver jarring hits that separates the back from the football (he forced nine fumbles in his collegiate career).

In the passing game, Bush is able to cover a lot of ground thanks to his 4.5 speed. He uses his eyes well to track the ball, his football instincts to be in the right place at the right time, and his good leaping skills (39.5 inch vertical) to highpoint the ball and contest catches.

In addition, Bush’s hard-hitting nature intimidates even the toughest receivers to run across the middle of the field, and when they do try it, Bush oftentimes will dish-out a hit that makes receivers second guess their decision.

Now, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows with Bush. He sometimes has the tendency to play too aggressively, looking to deliver the knock-out blow (and whiffing) rather than simply making a solid tackle. He also struggles to diagnose plays at times, leaving him to be out of position and exposing a big hole on defense.

Just like any young player, Bush will surely have his ups and downs. Playing college football is one thing, but playing in the NFL? That’s a whole different ballgame.

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Bush will need to have a good showing in training camp and all four preseason games to hold off the incumbent Jones-Quartey, but he offers a skill set that no other safety on the Bears’ roster possesses. With Pace in his corner and head coach John Fox unafraid to play rookies, it’s not too far-fetched to think that Bush could be starting by midseason—if not earlier.

Stay tuned, and keep your fingers crossed Bears’ fans!