Matt Eberflus has made it clear from the start that things have changed. His goal is to foster widespread competition across the Chicago Bears roster. Demoting names like Jaylon Johnson and Teven Jenkins to the second team in practice was an unmistakable message to everyone else. Nobody should feel comfortable right now. If you want a job, you’ll have to fight for it. That has helped to explain the newfound intensity during drills.
One man that has taken this opportunity to heart is DeAndre Houston-Carson. When thinking about the safety position, most fans and media have already made assumptions about who the starters will be. It’s basically Eddie Jackson and somebody else. The heavy favorite to play opposite him is 2nd round pick, Jaquan Brisker. Maybe veteran Dane Cruikshank has a shot as well. Nobody is even considering the longtime Bears special teams staple.
Based on practice updates, that may need to change.
“Safety DeAndre Houston-Carson had a pair of interceptions against Fields, including one during a two-minute drill in which Fields’ pass glanced off the hands of wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown.”
A 6th round pick in 2016, Houston-Carson wasn’t given the time of day as a defensive option for his first four seasons. It wasn’t until 2020 that he finally started getting some snaps on defense each week. In the 25 games he has played since that moment, he has two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, a touchdown, and 64 tackles in 510 defensive snaps. That is not production easy to ignore.
First career INT for DeAndre Houston-Carson couldn't have come at a better time!
📺: FOX#CHIvsCAR | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/rfKvEOhtYI
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 18, 2020
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
DeAndre Houston-Carson came streaking in from deep center field. What a play. pic.twitter.com/RP4bONvmBa
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) October 10, 2021
This is somebody that has patiently waited his turn. At 29-years-old, Houston-Carson understands this is probably his last realistic chance to win a starting job. Eberflus has left the door open. His reputation in Indianapolis suggests he has no qualms about playing no-name guys if they earn it. His mantra is the best players will play.
Chicago Bears have lots to sort through in the secondary.
What looked like a glaring team weakness back in January now might be their unquestioned defensive strength. Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson are proven starters. Brisker and Kyler Gordon arrive as high draft choices. Cruikshank had a strong 2021 season in Tennessee, while Tavon Young arrived after a successful run with Baltimore. All this while Houston-Carson continues to show he’s much more than a strong presence on special teams.
This is what you’d call a good problem to have. Not only do the Chicago Bears appear to have starting talent, but their depth also improved. GM Ryan Poles deserves credit for pulling this off despite limited resources going into the offseason. It would be a great story if Houston-Carson pulled off his elusive goal. He wouldn’t be the first Bears safety to go from longtime backup and special teams guy to starter. Shaun Gayle didn’t become a starter until his sixth season with the team.
Why can’t DHC do the same?
If nothing else, this makes training camp next month even more intriguing. The offense will get most of the attention, but it sounds like competitions are also heating up all over the defense. That isn’t a shock, given a new coaching staff and a new scheme. How ironic it would be if Houston-Carson broke through only after the scheme he’d played in for half a decade was replaced.
