The Chicago Bears have plenty of offseason objectives to tackles. Most people will stay focused on what they do on offense. Specifically the problematic issues at quarterback, tight end, and the offensive line. However, GM Ryan Pace can’t ignore the defense. Several key players are coming out of contract this March including three of their inside linebackers. Not to mention starting safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
That last one is a difficult situation to tackle. Clinton-Dix had a solid 2019 season with 78 tackles and two interceptions. Keeping him isn’t a terrible idea. The problem is it would be expensive. The safety took a discount this past year to play for Chicago, so 2020 is likely his last chance to secure a large payday. He’ll be seeking a lot more money. Since the Bears just got done paying Eddie Jackson a $58.4 million extension, they might not be in a position to meet his demands.
This might be why longtime insider Hub Arkus believes they’ll go in a different direction this offseason, and he even has a name that would make sense.
“The best fit might be the Raiders’ Karl Joseph, the former first-rounder, who’s an in-the-box safety who could complement Eddie Jackson nicely. And since he’s an unrestricted free agent, not originally a Gruden or Mayock guy, they may let him get to the open market.”
Karl Joseph would be far different from Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Joseph has had a mixed NFL career through the first four seasons. When healthy, he is one of the better box safeties in the league. A constant force around the line of scrimmage who can be dangerous as a blitzer. In that context, it makes perfect sense why he’d fit the Bears. He would be able to play that role, allowing Jackson to hang back in coverage more often where he is most dangerous. Unfortunately, Joseph comes with a lot of risks.
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Since his rookie year, the safety has missed a combined 15 games with various injuries. A byproduct of his aggressive, hard-hitting playing style. While there is no question he could be a great combination with Jackson, Pace and the Bears have already had to deal with players being unavailable a little too often. On the flip side though, this reputation of his might actually end up keeping his price tag low. Something that would appeal to Chicago who doesn’t have a ton of cap space.
