The Chicago Bears would have preferred to hold on to Adrian Amos. After the rock-solid safety signed with the division-rival Green Bay Packers in free agency, though, Chicago rebounded by coming to terms with former Pro Bowler Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, quickly replacing one proven defender with another.
Not everyone in the football world, however, believes Clinton-Dix will be up to the task of replicating Amos' production. Andy Benoit of Sports Illustrated writes that the Bears are poised to struggle in the secondary this season, with the presence of Clinton-Dix contributing to their labors.
“Unreliable ex-Packer Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix is an even greater downgrade from steady safety Adrian Amos. The Bears will also likely employ more man coverage than matchup-zone under new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. That’s not as ideal a fit for their secondary.”
Clinton-Dix signed a one-year deal with Chicago in March after finishing last season with the Washington Redskins. The Redskins acquired him from the Green Bay Packers midway through 2018 in exchange for a fourth-round pick. He struggled to match the success he enjoyed on a relatively consistent basis over his first four and-a-half years in the league, however, failing to pick off a pass and generally struggling when asked to make tackles on playmakers in space.
In nine games with Washington last season, Clinton-Dix had 66 combined tackles, three passes defensed, and one forced fumble. Washington, surprisingly, was more effective defensively before he joined the team, too.
Amos, meanwhile, signed a four-year, $37 million contract with Green Bay in March.
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