Chicago Bears Stay or Go: Deon Bush
Should the Chicago Bears bring Deon Bush back or let him walk via free agency?
Last offseason Deon Bush signed a one-year deal to remain with the Chicago Bears. He did not step into the role as a starter but did get on the field for 83 defensive snaps and over 200 special teams snaps.
While he is not a core contributor he has been with the team for five seasons and has been an asset to the roster. Now that he enters free agency for the second straight year, will the Chicago Bears re-sign him, or will he finally find his way to another team?
Stay
The team absolutely needs a third safety. Beyond that, Bush can slip into the box and play a bit of a hybrid linebacker role. This is valuable with an aging Danny Trevathan who will be back next season. His versatility and understanding of the defense are underrated values.
Beyond that, he is not going to get paid much. Unknown outside of Halas Hall, Bush is very likely to sign a similar one-year deal that he did this offseason. For cheap depth that knows the scheme and plays special teams, he will stay.
Go
In week 2, Bush played a season-high 25 snaps. It was mainly due to Danny Trevathan playing so poorly in week one. Still, Bush played 12 snaps in week 3 before getting hurt in week four. From there, he played 34 snaps the rest of the season.
The idea of Bush being a dime linebacker is great, but he is not necessarily a lock to fit into that role. He also does not have as much experience as you would like to believe.
By the end of the year the Bears trusted Trevethan over him. Beyond that, while special teams is valuable, he was eighth on the team in special teams snaps, after being fourth last year.
He also recorded three missed tackles on special teams, per PFF. Deon Bush is a better player in theory than he is on the football field.
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The Bears have special teams help, and while a dime linebacker sounds nice, that is not what Bush truly is.
Ryan Pace may need to look at depth safety in free agency, but it could be a different name than Deon Bush.