Chicago Bears: Has starting safety already been determined?

Have the Chicago Bears decided on a starting safety?

With cutdown day tomorrow, could the Chicago Bears be parting ways with recently signed safety, Tashaun Gipson? Well, according to at least one report that could be the case.

It would be a somewhat surprising move on its face. You see, the Bears signed Gipson as a free agent after he was released by the Houston Texans.

The Texans had released him just one year removed from signing him to a $22.5 million deal. However, they decided to part ways with the former Pro Bowler after placing him on injured reserve.

At the time the Bears signed him, it seemed like a terrific move. However, as training camp winds to a close, it appears Bears mainstay Deon Bush has really impressed the coaching staff. Likely aided by his familiarity with the team, Bush has separated himself in camp which could make Gipson expendable.

Chicago Bears to name Bush the starter?

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, he is “not convinced Gipson is a lock for the roster.” He goes on to state that Bush is the “likely starter” and makes it clear that the Bears decision on Gipson will not be money-driven. He notes that the Bears only guaranteed him $550,000 of his one-year $1,050,000 contract.

If the Bears have decided on Bush as the starter, it is unlikely they are going to pay Gipson that much to play special teams.

Moreover, the Bears recently signed veteran Marquis Christian, who has much more versatility than Gipson in that he can play the strong safety spot as well as on the boundary in nickel and dime packages. Christian also has a lot of value on special teams, whose chances of securing a roster spot increase significantly if Gipson is cut.

For Bush, it would be a well-deserved vote of confidence, who has been with the Bears his entire four-year career. Bush has paid his dues and made the most of the opportunity this year when the position became open. He now has the opportunity to prove the coaching staff’s confidence in him is deserved. It won’t hurt that he’s playing behind an elite defensive front-seven and alongside an All-Pro like Eddie Jackson. Nevertheless, it appears to be Deon Bush’s time to shine.