Chicago Bears: Signing of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix almost perfect

While the signing of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix gives the Chicago Bears arguably the best safety duo together with Eddie Jackson, the signing may come back to haunt them.

The Chicago Bears lost Adrian Amos in free agency with the new league year starting. They needed to find someone to replace him. Some thought they’d go through the NFL Draft to do see, but they need a veteran to keep the safety play strong.

Once again, the safety group in free agency was deep. For some reason, teams are not dishing out the money for good safeties. Last year, Tre Boston, Eric Reid, Tyrann Mathieu and Kenny Vaccaro ended up signing for far less time and money than they expected.

This year, the above-mentioned players again hit free agency. Additionally, Landon Collins and Eric Weddle both got released. The list of top safeties being available was impressive.

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While some on this list got themselves nice contracts, the majority will be underpaid. Also, some are still don’t even have a contract.

One player who decided to cut his losses was Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Since being the No. 21 pick overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2014 draft, he’s been one of the top safeties in the league. He has 14 interceptions, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 5.5 sacks and 28 passes defended to go along with 456 tackles.

Most projected Clinton-Dix to be cashing in on a rich deal. Instead, he agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Bears. Yes, he might have had bigger offers on the table but not with teams as strong as the Bears. He could have taken the money and lose games, per NBC Sports Chicago:

"I was getting calls from other teams who wanted to sign me and the money was more. You see so many guys get to the end of their careers, their successful careers, and now they’re trying to chase a ring. I have the opportunity to do that in my prime."

This was an almost perfect signing for the Bears. They replace Amos with an upgrade at a cheaper price. Amos signed with the Packers for four years, $37 million.

Don’t be mistaken, Clinton-Dix is an upgrade, even though some fans love what Amos did with Chicago and were upset at learning the Bears let him walk. For his career, Amos has three interceptions (two of them in 2018), three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two sacks, 18 passes defended and 269 tackles.

As I said, the signing is almost perfect. Being just a one-year deal, we should be prepared to see Clinton-Dix for just one season. Yes, part of the reason he came to Chicago was for a chance at a ring and his friendship with fellow safety Eddie Jackson (both played at Alabama), if he has a good season (almost guaranteed playing on the most dominant defense in the NFL) he’ll be in line for a big payday for sure. The Bears will need to pony up to keep him.

That part is difficult. They have some contracts coming up over the next couple of years. Cody Whitehair is up for a new deal after the 2019 season. Let’s not forget quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Also, the Bears restructured some deals that delay salary cap hits for later down the road. That’s why they’ll probably draft a safety in just over a month.

I hope I’m wrong. Maybe if the Bears have another magical season, it could convince players like Clinton-Dix to want to stay in Chicago. For the time being, however, it sure will be fun to watch this team play.