The Chicago Bears scored a big fish on Thursday for their free agency haul when 26-year old safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix agreed to a one-year deal to join their secondary. They are familiar with his work, having had to deal with him twice a year dating back to 2014 when he became the starting safety for the Green Bay Packers. During that time he collected 17 career interceptions including three against them, making the Pro Bowl in 2016.
However, he seemed to fall out of favor with the coaching staff starting in 2017. It's unclear where things went sideways. Perhaps it was frustration over the lack of help he had around him mixed with an increased pressure on the coaches to perform. Either way, things finally reached a breaking point and he was traded to the Washington Redskins last October.
When he hit the market this year, he had initially hoped to secure a lucrative new deal elsewhere. Things change though. The Bears soon came calling with an offer. In a rather surprising moment of unselfishness, Clinton-Dix admitted to reporters on Friday that he turned out multiple higher offers for a chance to play on this defense.
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Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Chicago Bears move was motivated by championship desires
Everything he said hinted that he feels this Bears team is ready for a run at the Super Bowl. They were 12-4 last year and led by the best defense in football. This will easily be the most overall talented unit Clinton-Dix has played on in his NFL career. Given how good he was when Green Bay had a decent unit from 2014-2016, there's no telling what he might accomplish now. Chicago can also be grateful for Eddie Jackson. He and Clinton-Dix were teammates at Alabama. They already have familiarity and friendship with each other. It was Jackson who sold him on the winning culture Chicago was building with Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace. That was apparently the key selling point to get Clinton-Dix on board. Suddenly the Bears have two safeties who combined for nine interceptions last year. This despite Jackson missing multiple games with ankle injury and Clinton-Dix having to switch teams halfway through the year. There's no telling how much more dangerous they can be together. The fact the Bears got him at such a cheap price also illustrates how much their image has altered in the eyes of the rest of the NFL. People suddenly see them as a destination. Someplace you can not only win but have fun doing it.Comments
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