Why the Bears' signing of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a laughable bargain

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When the Chicago Bears lost starting safety Adrian Amos to longtime rival Green Bay Packers in free agency, Bears fans, including Richard Ohlhaber, wondered how the team would replace an integral component of the Bears vaunted defensive line. The front office did not take long to find one in Ha’Sean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix, a 2017 Pro Bowl selection.

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Amos struck a lucrative four-year, $37 million contract with the Packers, one that would pay him an average of $9.25 million per season. On the other hand, Clinton-Dix signed up for a one-year deal at $3.5 million, obviously much less than what Amos got.

Ha Ha is not a downgrade on the field, though, as not only is he more accomplished than Amos at the strong safety position, Clinton-Dix has a solid relationship with Chicago’s free safety, Eddie Jackson, as both have been teammates in Alabama and remained good friends after graduating from college. Their potential chemistry as partners in Chicago’s secondary could improve what is already one of the league’s best defenses. This is certainly great news for Chicago Bears supporters like Richard Ohlhaber.

It also would not take long for Clinton-Dix to acclimate himself to the Bears’ defensive system because the team’s defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano, runs similar schemes as Mike Pettine. The latter spent time with Pagano some years ago with the Indianapolis Colts and current defensive coordinator of a team Clinton-Dix used to play for—incidentally, the Packers.

Currently based in Texas, Richard Ohlhaber grew up in Chicago and has backed the Bulls and Bears ever since he was young. Read more about these teams here.

Mike Ditka: A Chicago Bears icon

The Chicago Bears last won a Super Bowl back in 1986. Before that, their last national championship was in 1963. Instrumental in these two titles was Mike Ditka. 

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In 1963, the “Iron Mike” helped the Bears reach the pantheon of the National Football League playing tight end. He was drafted just two years prior, but his presence was already felt by the league early on as he was revolutionizing how the position was played. 

Previously, tight ends had been used primarily as blockers, and rarely as receivers. But Ditka, who had superb blocking skills, was also incredibly adept at catching and rushing, which enabled the team’s coaching staff to also run plays for him. 

After 11 seasons as a player (five with the Bears), Ditka ranks first among all tight ends in rushing (4,503 yards), fifth in reception (316), and fifth in touchdown catches (34). 

As soon as Ditka retired from playing in 1972, he was hired as an assistant head coach by the Dallas Cowboys, the last team he suited up for as tight end. He helped Dallas win the 1977 Super Bowl.

Come 1982, the Bears had a head coaching vacancy and reached out to Ditka, who willingly accepted the job. As soon as he got on board, he promised a Super Bowl appearance within three seasons – a promise he got to keep. In 1985, Chicago did reach the championship game but ultimately lost to the San Francisco 49ers. 

A year later, they again competed for the league title. The Bears defeated the New England Patriots, giving Ditka the distinction of being one of the only two players to win an NFL championship as a player, an assistant coach, and a head coach. 

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The Chicago Bears' Options With The Third Overall Pick In The 2017 NFL Draft

After a free agency period many analysts consider underwhelming because of the team’s failure to fill the holes in the roster, the Chicago Bears can still salvage the offseason by doing it right in the 2017 NFL draft. The team owns seven picks in a draft that is widely viewed as potentially one of the best in recent years. The highest of these picks is the third overall, where the Bears have a lot of options on what to do with it.

Draft Deshaun Watson

The Clemson Tigers has just won the NCAA Football Championship by upsetting the highly touted Alabama Crimson Tide – and quarterback Deshaun Watson helped make it happen. His performance raised his draft stock, with many pundits suggesting that the Bears take a flyer on him.

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Obviously, Chicago would want to nab consensus number one pick Myles Garrett, but there is zero chance that they could. As consolation, the Bears could select Watson as their quarterback of the future, but ease him in slowly by having him back up free agent signee Mike Glennon.

Draft for another position

Unfortunately, quarterback is not the only roster need the Bears have to address. They currently have a lot of weaknesses in other positions, such as tight end, wide receiver, offensive tackle (both positions), and defensive end. The team can instead draft a prospect who can readily help the team at these positions.

Trade down

Historically, the third overall pick has brought so much value to many teams in the past, as illustrated by the NFL Draft Value Chart. The Bears could capitalize on it by offering the pick for a lower one plus other trade pieces, such as a veteran who can help right away or another draft pick.

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