The Bears faced a difficult decision last offseason when free-agent safety Adrian Amos was about to hit the open market. Instead of re-signing the former fifth-round pick from 2015, Ryan Pace's first draft as Bears general manager, Chicago allowed the hard-hitting defender to test the open market. It resulted in a four-year, $36 million contract with the Green Bay Packers and left the Bears scrambling for his replacement.
But maybe it wasn't much of a scramble at all. Maybe Pace had his eye on another member of last year's free-agent class who he thought could actually provide an upgrade to the secondary: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Clinton-Dix signed a one-year, $3.6 million prove-it deal with the Bears to fill the void left by Amos' departure, and through 11 games this season, he's provided the secondary with more juice and upside as a playmaker. In Sunday's 19-14 win over the New York Giants, he led the team in tackles (seven), added a pass breakup and was seemingly in the right place at the right time whenever the Bears needed a big play.
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This is nothing new for Clinton-Dix, who entered Week 12 fourth on the Bears in tackles, second in interceptions and fifth in passes defended. He's been the kind of all-around third-level defender they were missing opposite Eddie Jackson, whose play has regressed a bit this year. Clinton-Dix's presence in the backend has helped offset the damage.
Pro Football Focus recently named Clinton-Dix the Bears' most underrated defender, and Sunday's performance was proof of that. According to PFF, Clinton-Dix has allowed a passer rating of just 43.9 when targeted, ranking sixth-best at his position in the league.
The Bears haven't had many bright spots in what's been an all-around down year, but Clinton-Dix is an exception. He's been fantastic and has played his way into what should be a new multi-year contract this offseason.
