The Washington Redskins have missed out on their target safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Clinton-Dix is signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.
The Redskins wanted to bring back Clinton-Dix, who they acquired in a trade last October from the Green Bay Packers for a fourth-round pick. The thought was pair him with recently signed top prize Landon Collins.
Redskins senior vice president of player personnel Doug Williams said earlier Thursday that the door was still open for Clinton-Dix to return. Head coach Jay Gruden said the team had talks with the safety. However, in the end, Clinton-Dix chose the Bears.
Clinton-Dix started his career with the Packers, playing four-plus seasons with the organization before he was traded to Washington last season. He struggled in the burgundy and gold in the nine games he played for the Redskins with tackling in the open field and pass coverage.
Still, he has shown durability starting 16 games for four consecutive seasons. He posted a career-high grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus. However, his struggles may have led to the one-year deal with the Bears as a prove me year.
The Bears were looking to replace Adrian Amos, who opted to sign with the Packers in free agency. For the Redskins, they still have a trio of young safeties in Montae Nicholson, Troy Apke, and Deshazor Everett. But there are question marks with each.
Nicholson was placed on the non-football-injury reserve list in December following an assault and battery arrest. Apke was limited to two games a rookie last season and was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Everett started Week 17 of last season following the release of DJ Swearinger and recorded nine tackles and an interception. But he has been primarily a special teams player in his four seasons with the Redskins.
CBS Sports has nine safeties in their top 100 prospects for next month’s NFL Draft, including Deionte Thompson of Alabama, Nasir Adderley of Delaware, and Juan Thornhill of Virginia.
Among the available free agents at safeties, some intriguing names include Tre Boston, Kurt Coleman, and Darian Stewart that may be considered top complements to Collins. There there is sure to be contingent that will push for recently released safety Eric Berry.
