Tashaun Gipson was one of the overlooked additions the Chicago Bears made this offseason. A former Pro Bowl safety, he’s found success with both the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars. Last season he was the starter for the Houston Texans. Somewhat surprisingly, the veteran took a cheap deal in free agency for a chance to play in Chicago.
The big selling point for him was obviously the front seven. Getting a chance to play behind Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, and Robert Quinn. That’s music to the ears of any defensive back. Especially one with Gipson’s reputation for pulling down interceptions. However, it didn’t take the 30-year old long to realize the Bears defense was about more than just that star-studded trio.
Much more. He explained that to Jeff Joniak on Player Profile for Bears YouTube. What has really stood out to him is how good the entire secondary is.
“I’ve played in some really good secondaries in my career. But I think just from like a paper standpoint as well as a talent standpoint…you know a lot of things can look good on paper but when you turn on the tape and a lot of these players aren’t what they’re perceived to be on paper. I think this secondary, bar none, is probably one of the best if not the best secondary that I’ve been a part of.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgs4GWInGcY&ab_channel=ChicagoBears
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Tashaun Gipson is paying a high compliment there
Keep in mind he has a pretty high bar to clear. In 2017, this guy played with Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye in Jacksonville. Both Pro Bowlers. Four years earlier in 2013, he played with Joe Haden and T.J. Ward. Both Pro Bowlers. So he’s not lying when he said he’s been in some good secondaries in his career. Calling the Bears arguably the best is high, high praise.
Kyle Fuller is a Pro Bowler the past two years and had the first interception of the season in the opener. Eddie Jackson reached two of his own as well and was robbed of a pick-six last week against the Giants. They’ve lived up to their reputations. The bigger surprise is Jaylon Johnson. The rookie 2nd round pick from Utah has been a revelation, allowing just three catches on seven targets with five pass deflections and no touchdowns allowed.
If he continues to ascend at the rate he has, then what Gipson is saying will hold more truth than ever.