The Chicago Bears' defense was one of the best in the NFL in 2018. This offseason they added Ha Ha Clinton Dix—so their defense could be even better in 2019.
Clinton-Dix spent 4 and a half seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Then, he was traded halfway through the season last year to the Washington Redskins.
In free agency, the safeties that were available were headlined by Earl Thomas, Tyrann Mathieu, and Landon Collins. Clinton-Dix can be included in that group but he signed for very cheap.
The Bears were able to secure Clinton-Dix with a one-year, $3 million deal. That's a steal if Clinton-Dix is able to stay healthy in 2019.
Although, the Bears lost Adrian Amos to the Packers but they just stole the Packers former safety to replace Amos. Nonetheless, it's likely going to be another great season from the Bears defense.
The Bears are hoping that signing Clinton-Dix can put them over the top to make a deep playoff run.
Here are three early goals for Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in 2019 with the Bears.
3. Beat the Packers Twice
One of the best things in any sport is seeing revenge games come to fruition. We'll get that twice this season when the Bears take on the Packers.
Again, Clinton-Dix spent four and a half seasons in Green Bay before they decided to trade him to Washington. Imagine having Aaron Rodgers as your quarterback and then having Alex Smith, then Colt McCoy as your quarterback.
That is exactly what happened to Clinton-Dix. There's no doubt that the former Green Bay safety doesn't feel some sort of way about being traded away.
Therefore, beating the Packers twice in 2019 is probably near the top of his list of goals in the upcoming season.
Beating them twice helps himself and the team win the NFC North so it's a win-win.
2. Play Well for a New Contract in 2020
There's a reason why Clinton-Dix signed for just one season and for so cheap this offseason. He realizes that this offseason was loaded with high-priced safeties and is betting on himself to be one of those guys next offseason.
Since being drafted in 2014 by the Packers, Clinton-Dix has undoubtedly been one of the best safeties in the NFL. Over five seasons, he has 456 total tackles, 14 interceptions, 28 pass deflections, and four forced fumbles.
The term underrated is loosely used in today's media but it's fair to say Clinton-Dix is heavily underrated. He'll want to show why people need to put some respect on his name (insert Birdman “put some respek on my name” meme).
If Clinton-Dix performs at a high-level in 2019 with the Bears, he'll receive a nice payday in 2020.
Clinton-Dix obviously realizes it's a contract year so we might see the best version of him we've ever seen.
1. Keep the Turnovers Coming
The Bears defense was elite in every aspect but they were especially efficient at causing turnovers. In 2018, the Bears led the league with 36 total takeaways—27 interceptions, nine fumbles.
Losing guys like Amos and Bryce Callahan—who had five of the 36 takeaways combined—definitely hurts. Although, it's not bad when you can sign someone like Clinton-Dix to replace that production.
Clinton-Dix is fully capable of stepping in and helping continue the momentum on defense. The last thing he needs is to be a liability in the secondary and their turnovers plummet.
With the talent that resides in Chicago on defense, turnovers shouldn't be an issue in 2019.
Hopefully, Clinton-Dix can help continue the trend of taking the ball away from opposing offenses for the sake of Bears fans.
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