Chicago Bears: Final 53-man roster prediction after training camp

Safeties (5)

Who’s in: Eddie Jackson, Tashaun Gipson, Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Sherrick McManis
Practice Squad: Marqui Christian

The Bears decided that moving Jackson over to strong safety wasn’t in the best interest of the defense. They did it so they could sign Ha Ha Clinton-Dix but his play didn’t warrant continuing the arrangement. They allowed Clinton-Dix to walk and moved Jackson back to free safety where he dominated so much.

With an opening at strong safety, the Bears went out and signed Tashaun Gipson. They had Gipson and Bush battle for the starting spot.

It looked like Gipson would be the winner of the competition but then he suffered what the Bears called a minor back ailment. However, there are no minor back ailments, especially when Gipson suffered a transverse process fracture in his lower back last season.

Gipson’s back could prevent him from starting Week 1. Bush has an opportunity to start and try to keep the job. If the back isn’t that bad he should take over as the starter. He and Jackson would make an incredible tandem. Both of them are ball hawks. Gipson caused 24 turnovers in his eight-year career while Jackson forced 15 in just three seasons.

Houston-Carson and McManis will play in a rotation but they’ll mostly be special teams players.