The Chicago Bears free agency period of 2019 isn’t off to a hot start. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It is simply difficult for fans to feel like the team has gotten better. Mike Davis and Buster Skrine have arrived from Seattle and New York respectively. However, it’s all but certain at this point that both Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos will be gone.
There is no question the losses are tough. Both were quality starters for the Bears the past two years on defense. Replacing good players is never easy, but GM Ryan Pace had to make a decision. Paying them their expected prices just wasn’t something the team could afford. It was a tough but necessary sacrifice.
That said, they don’t have long to mourn the losses. The NFL moves fast and if they’re not careful they’ll be caught napping. That is why the news is so welcoming that Pace may already have a replacement for Amos in mind according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
“From there, a host of experienced safeties are available, and one source said Monday night that Bears safety Adrian Amos is close to having a deal in place elsewhere. That could lead the Bears to Tashaun Gipson, a veteran who spent the last three seasons with the Jaguars after four years with the Browns. He’s 28 and has 20 career interceptions with a track record for durability. The Jaguars cut the 28-year-old Gipson instead of paying him $7.25 million this season. But until Amos has a deal in place, you can’t rule out a return.”
Chicago Bears Tashaun Gipson connection would be fascinating
Gipson has spent the past few years as part of the Jacksonville Jaguars. During that time they fielded one of the best defenses in the NFL. Gipson had four interceptions in 2017 but wasn’t quite as productive this past year. The Jaguars, in the midst of a huge salary cap crunch, were forced to part ways with the 28-year old.
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While he does have some consistency and durability question marks, Gipson has proven to be a good football player. He has 20 career interceptions and had just six missed tackles last season. He and Eddie Jackson could make for a potent combination in coverage, especially given Chuck Pagano’s reputation with safeties.
