The Chicago Bears endured a difficult moment last offseason when Adrian Amos, their starting safety for four seasons discarded his heritage in favor of a contract with the rival Green Bay Packers. While losing Amos wasn’t a death blow by any stretch for the Bears defense, it still stung. Well, it seems they might be in store for a case of deja vu next month based on recent musings regarding Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
The veteran safety came in last season and plugged the hole left by Amos quite well. While he’s made it clear he’d much prefer to stay in Chicago, the general feeling is the Bears just don’t have the money necessary to make that happen. Especially after they just got done making Eddie Jackson the highest-paid safety in the NFL. So they have to manage their money carefully what with so many problems to fix on the offensive side.
That could mean sacrificing Clinton-Dix to free agency. According to Nick Shook of NFL.com, they may not like where he could end up.
“DETROIT LIONS: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, safety
This might seem like a bit of a reach for the Lions, but Detroit could use a splash signing in the secondary and has the cap space (projected $46 million) to get it done. Clinton-Dix has plenty of experience in the NFC North, having played for Green Bay and Chicago, and he stands alongside Bell as one of the best strong safety options on the open market. This only happens if the Lions don’t retain Tavon Wilson, who played well in Detroit but is headed toward a pay raise this offseason.”
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix does love the NFC North
It’s easy to say that is never happening but the fact is Clinton-Dix has already made it clear he prefers staying in the NFC North. He was drafted and played in Green Bay for a number of years then returned to play for the Bears last season. The familiarity of the opponents combined with a nice payday could easily convince him to sign on the dotted line for a team like Detroit.
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The Lions certainly look like a team that could be in the market for safety help. Two players from their depth chart are set to be free agents including starter Tavon Wilson. They need more playmaking potential on the back end and Clinton-Dix would fill that void. Getting to play inside a dome might also appeal to him as well. So it isn’t a crazy idea by any stretch.
As always it will come down to money.
