Chicago Bears: 5 Players who will suffer most from a shortened preseason
Tashaun Gipson, S – Chicago Bears answer at strong safety
Ryan Pace bringing in Tashaun Gipson was a huge signing in my opinion. If healthy, Gipson could walk away looking like an absolute steal this offseason. That said, one thing that safeties need is time to develop a rapport with the guys around him. Communication is key in a defensive backfield. Players need to know their assignments and understand where to be. If you cannot trust the guy lined up next to you, offenses will eat up a secondary.
The one relationship that needs to develop the most is between Eddie Jackson and Gipson. Jackson is still elite in my mind despite a not as great 2019 campaign. Jackson and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix had a brief history at Alabama but also spoke once in the NFL. Developing on-field chemistry was not a problem for the two of them.
Gipson and Jackson do not have that history and it will take reps to build that type of relationship. Reps that do not look to be happening thanks to COVID-19. The good news is that Gipson is more diverse than Clinton-Dix in that he is more of an in-the-box safety, but can still play as a free safety when needed. This should hopefully allow Jackson more opportunities to play in his natural free-safety role. Just know, Chuck Pagano will have the two switch often in his split coverages.
Hot. 5 UDFAs with best shot at the final roster. light
Honestly, we better hope there is an actual football season. The NBA and MLB are still trying to figure out when each league is going to start and what protocols are to be in place.