Bears add Clinton-Dix to the mix
The Bears found their replacement for deparated free agent safety Adrian Amos on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year deal with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, Clinton-Dix is a five-year NFL veteran with one Pro Bowl on his résumé.
With Amos signing a contract with the rival Packers, the pair of acquisitions essentially amounted to a safety swap. (Yes, Clinton-Dix spent the latter half of 2018 with the Washington Redskins, but don’t let that fact get in the way of a good story.)
The Bears signed Clinton-Dix to what essentially amounts to a “prove it” deal. Clinton-Dix has had trouble with consistency in his career and the Bears are hoping the short-term deal will bring the best out of him. That, and they likely will draft a young safety to groom, unless Clinton-Dix wows them with his performance and earns a long-term contract.
The other factor the Bears need to consider is financial. The club surely wants to think about inking their young players — like fellow safety Eddie Jackson — to long-term deals next offseason and beyond.
Clinton-Dix has 14 interceptions and 28 pass defenses in his five-year career. He hasn’t missed a game in that timespan. The Bears are hoping that playing in the league’s top defense alongside Jackson will help Clinton-Dix find some success.