Is it possible that Deon Bush could push Adrian Amos for playing time at safety?
This is one of those headlines that trolls love to see. Why in the world would any sensible writer think there is any possibility on the planet that Deon Bush could push Adrian Amos for playing time at safety? It defies logic. Trolls will be clicking on this article just to scroll down to the comments and crush the author. Bush has struggled mightily his first two seasons with the Chicago Bears struggling to find any kind of consistent playing time. Last season Bush was on the field for just 8% of the defensive snap counts while Amos had his best season as a pro. The premise is ridiculous. But here’s the truth- it’s not ridiculous at all.
Amos is entering the final season of his rookie deal. There have been rumblings around Halas Hall that the Bears are trying to extend Eddie Goldman before the season begins to make sure he’s locked up, but things have been much quieter around Amos. If the Bears don’t extend Amos this summer, they risk losing him completely in 2019 via free agency. If Ryan Pace chooses to wait, it shouldn’t be considered a mistake.
Amos surprised people with his play as a rookie (especially being a fifth round pick) but his productivity seriously dropped in year two. Last season, the Bears planned on having Amos play in a sub role until Quintin Demps was injured and Amos was thrust back into the starting safety spot. Amos responded with his best season and Pro Football Focus called him one of the best safeties in the league, but here’s the issue with that: Amos is not a playmaker.
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PFF grades based on players who “do their job.” It’s never a player’s job to cause a fumble or blitz and get a TFL or intercept a pass. It’s their job to be in the right place at the right time and wrap up the tackle if it’s deemed yours to handle. That’s it. In that department, Amos is as steady as they come. But is a steady, non-spectacular player worth a long-term investment? The Bears may not be certain that he is.
Meanwhile, Deon Bush has been receiving praise from Vic Fangio. Fangio has called Bush the most improved player on the defense. Not only has Bush looked prior to minicamp, but he looked good at minicamp as well. There have been some rumblings that Bush has outplayed Amos and is starting to take away first team reps from Amos.
Now, first of all, it’s only minicamp, a lot can happen between now and September. But the Bears may just want to push Bush and see what he can do. What it does show is that they certainly haven’t just parked Amos in the starting lineup.
Bush has really struggled his first two seasons in the league, which comes off the tail of his final season at Miami which was arguably his worst in college. Bush’s family was going through some very difficult personal issues and those may have very well been affecting Bush’s concentration and emotions. If Bush is entering this season focused on football, he may very well be ready to make a big step forward.
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If he does make that step, the Bears may consider transitioning away from Amos and giving Bush the job next to Eddie Jackson and letting Amos walk after this season. The Bears need to start deciding who of Ryan Pace’s draft picks will be earning long-term deals with the team. If the Bears feel Bush can handle the job, Amos may be the first cap causality of the Pace era.