Chicago Bears: One reclamation project they could explore

The Chicago Bears may be undergoing some change this offseason. Nothing monumental but certainly within the realm of significant.

As things stand they have two primary in-house free agents they need to address. One is cornerback Bryce Callahan and the other safety Adrian Amos. Callahan has been their nickel corner for years and developed into a quality starter. However, he has a history of health issues. Amos has been their starting safety since 2015 and has improved steadily since that time. He’s younger than Callahan (25 to 27) and more durable, but his playmaking skill could be called average.

Like always, it comes down to money. Odds are the Bears won’t be able to pay both of them. They have 11 other free agents they need to address too. Not to mention the hopes they might be able to make one big move on the open market. So what those two are demanding for new contracts will be key. Callahan is a bit of a mystery but there are whispers that Amos’ camp has set their price high.

If that’s the case, it may compel GM Ryan Pace to make a tough decision to let him walk. In such an event, the Bears will need to find another solution at the safety spot next to Eddie Jackson. If they’re quick enough and convincing enough, they could take on a familiar face.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix might relish the opportunity to join Chicago Bears

Most Bears fans will be familiar with the name Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. For one it’s a hard name to forget, but also because he spent the first years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers. During that time he had his fair share of moments torturing Chicago, even making the Pro Bowl in 2016. Yet over the past two years, he fell out of favor with his former team, getting to the point where they eventually traded him last year at the deadline to the Washington Redskins.

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In nine games with his new team, he didn’t make many splash plays but he did have 66 tackles. Still, it appears the coaching staff wasn’t overly thrilled with him as they reportedly came close to putting him on the bench. It’s unclear what the issue is. Clinton-Dix has been productive more of his career and he’s not dealing with any injuries. Now he’s set to become a free agent at age 26 and it feels unlikely he would want to stay in Washington.

So why should the Bears be interested?

A few reasons. For starters, Clinton-Dix is at a point where he doesn’t have a ton of control over his market value. He was traded by one team (for cheap) and didn’t shine with his new one. That means he may be a slight bargain compared to where his value was two years ago.

Then there’s that ever fortunate factor of location, location, location. One of the biggest motivators for athletes is revenge. Clinton-Dix no doubt feels he was wrongly run out of town by the Packers this season. One can imagine he’s anxious to get a shot back at them. What better way to do that than by joining their longtime rival as part of the best defense in football?

Recent struggles aside, Clinton-Dix has played top level football before. He’s also a better ballhawk than Amos with 17 interceptions to Amos’ three. Maybe under the guidance of defensive back specialist Chuck Pagano he can regain that old form.