Chicago Bears Free Agency: 3 reasons to love Ha Ha Clinton-Dix signing
By Ryan Heckman
Clinton-Dix will thrive behind front seven
One of the things I continue to see Clinton-Dix get criticized for is his so-called shying away from contact. First off, there is absolutely no way the Bears sign him if new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano didn’t believe in his talent. If you know Pagano’s style, you know he loves the physical type in his secondary.
More from Da Windy City
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
I think one area where Clinton-Dix gets overlooked is his desire to make a big play. Because he tries so hard to make a play on the ball or force a turnover, he can be labeled as a player who either gets beat or misses a tackle here or there.
I’ll assure you this: Clinton-Dix has never played behind a front seven like this Bears defense possesses. The front for Chicago is by far and away the best in football, ensuring the defensive backs get ample opportunity to make game-changing plays.
I trust Pagano to get the best out of his players, so the narratives that Clinton-Dix either doesn’t like contact or gets beat often should get squashed. The truth of the matter is, you could throw any mediocre safety behind this Bears front seven and he would do just fine.
The good news is, Clinton-Dix isn’t mediocre. He’s a good football player. Is he elite? No, not quite. He is a good football player coming to an elite defense. Trust that his talent will show through, especially while surrounded by guys like Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Roquan Smith, among others.