Chicago Bears Free Agency: 4 players that require caution

1. Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Why is Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on this list, you ask? Well, the caution isn’t necessarily with the player, specifically. Clinton-Dix performed well in his lone season with the Bears last year, and I think the defense would be just fine with him coming back. Continuity is important, especially with a unit that can be the league’s top defense.

The caution should be more around what Pace decides to do with the vacated starting spot. For the moment, Clinton-Dix is set to hit free agency. Pace could opt to try and find a replacement on the open market, or he could look towards the draft.

However, depending on what Clinton-Dix’s market looks like, Pace’s best option may be bringing him back. Most figured he would be a one-year rental, and that’s totally acceptable. He likely knew he would be coming to the Bears for just a single season, so that he could find himself a long-term deal in 2020 after playing a full year on a top-tier defense.

I truly believe Pace needs to be careful at this position. Obviously, moving Eddie Jackson back to free safety would be a wise move for the defense, and Clinton-Dix isn’t necessarily an ideal fit at strong safety. But, if keeping Jackson at strong safety and bringing Clinton-Dix back to play free safety is in the cards, I don’t see how you don’t at least entertain the option.

If Chicago can get him on a 3-year or 4-year deal at a decent price, I think that’s a great option instead of taking a chance on a cheap free agent or draft pick. This is certainly a position to watch, and a player to watch for the Bears this offseason.