Chicago Bears: Secondary has brand new look in 2017

It’s looking like the Chicago Bears will have a completely brand new starting secondary in 2017.

The Chicago Bears made significant changes to their secondary in the offseason, hoping to jump-start a group that was relatively lackluster in 2016. Considering all of the new faces, they’ll at least have a different look in the 2017 season.

It started in free agency when the team signed veteran safety Quintin Demps away from the Houston Texans. Demps, who was a playmaker with the Texans, immediately became the best safety on the Bears roster. He will be counted on to be a spark-plug for the unit and serve as a veteran presence both on and off the field.

The Bears then went on to sign free-agent cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper. Amukamara, who signed a one-year deal, and Cooper, who signed a three-year deal, are expected to start Week 1.

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While each player has their own weaknesses, they are experienced players who shouldn’t have the mental lapses that younger players had last season. In addition, both have good size, which should fit well into defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme. Cooper also had a cup of coffee with Fangio when both were with San Francisco, so some familiarity definitely is a plus.

Although the team passed on elite safety prospects like Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker in the NFL Draft, the Bears did draft Alabama safety Eddie Jackson in the fourth round. Jackson, who has a rod inserted in his leg, comes with some risk. However, he played in the SEC and was coached by Nick Saban, one of the best coaches in all of college football. His football IQ is high, making him very likely to also start opening day.

So when all is said and done, the Bears could have a completely new secondary come Sept. 10 in the season-opener than they had last season. The potential for this unit is high, but so is the likelihood than one or more of these aforementioned players will flame out. However, given the performance of the secondary last year, I don’t think most Bears fans will have a problem seeing four brand new faces.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-training camp

Fangio and secondary coach Ed Donatell have their work cut out for them trying to get all these players on the same page, but the duo are two of the most respected coaches currently on the staff. All but Amukamara are signed beyond 2017, so the Bears are hoping that this upcoming season is beginning of something special for the secondary.