Chicago Bears: Potential cap casualties in 2020 offseason

5. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

A player that’s had a rocky two years in the NFL, people forget that Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was a first-round pick in 2014 and is just two years removed from a Pro Bowl appearance. Clinton-Dix’s time in Green Bay came to an end halfway through last season when he was traded to the Washington Redskins.

When the Bears lost Adrian Amos, Clinton-Dix was arguably the best replacement they could both financially and in terms of talent. Multiple reports reveal that the Bears have also graded Clinton-Dix higher than Amos.

Signing a one-year, $3 million dollar deal, Clinton-Dix came to the Bears because he saw a winning culture but also wanted to play alongside Eddie Jackson, whom he played with in college. However, the one thing to understand about Clinton-Dix is that he also bet on himself by signing a one-year prove it deal.

Next offseason, it’s clear that Clinton-Dix will be looking for a significant pay raise. This means the Bears probably won’t be able to afford him. Essentially, he was a bargain signing in 2019, but in no means meant to be a long-term replacement.

Even if the Bears do attempt to make some cap space next offseason in order to resign Clinton-Dix, his asking price could be well out of the Bears range as the market for safeties is going to be higher than ever.