Bears safety Deon Bush is earning comparisons to Bears cornerback Adrian Amos. What makes the similarities between these two players so interesting?
This year, the Chicago Bears’ Getty Deon Bush has been replacing in for Tashaun Gipson.
Adrian Amos was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, and he spent four years in Chicago until signing a four-year, $37 million deal with the Green Bay Packers in spring 2019.
While in Chicago, Amos had a strong partnership with safety Eddie Jackson, receiving a 90.9 overall rating from Pro Football Focus in 2017 and an 82.9 mark in 2018. He’s done well since leaving Chicago, but the Bears have yet to find a guy who can match his covering abilities.
In 2019, the Bears teamed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix with Jackson, then in 2020 and again this season, Tashaun Gipson alongside him, but neither has been a game-changer in the secondary. Gipson has struggled to stay healthy this season, missing two games. Clinton-Dix is no longer in the league. However, SB Nation’s Windy City Gridiron’s Robert Schmitz believes the Bears already have a “Adrian Amos Lite” on the roster.
ALL OF THE LATEST BEARS NEWS, DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX! Here’s where you can sign up for the Heavy on Bears newsletter.
Become a member of Heavy on Bears!
Schmitz: Deon Bush is a lite-Adrian Amos.
During Gipson’s absence this season, veteran safety Deon Bush has been stepping in, and Schmitz, a top film analyst for WCG, tweeted that “Bush has a ‘Adrian Amos Lite’ intensity to him,” and pushed for Bush to start over Gipson going forward:
Did you notice Tashaun Gipson was absent from last week’s #Bears game?
Deon Bush has a “Adrian Amos Lite” energy to him (comes downhill good, defends the run better than the pass), and I’m not sure why he shouldn’t start.
September 28, 2021 — Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz)
In little play this season, Bush has a 58.8 overall rating from Pro Football Focus. He’s handed up a passer rating of 109.7 and 12.7 yards per catch to opposing quarterbacks. In addition, he has missed five tackles. Bush has a 108.2 passer rating and has allowed 23 catches on 41 targets (56.1 reception percentage).
PFF presently gives Amos a 66.0 overall rating. He’s given up 171 catches on 241 targets (71 percent) and a passer rating of 99.5 to opposing quarterbacks. While Amos has performed better for a longer period of time, the statistics between the two safeties this season aren’t that different.
Bush was drafted in the fourth round (124th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Bears, and although he has mostly served as a special teams contributor, he has had the chance to fight for the starting strong safety position opposite Jackson over the past several seasons. Gipson defeated him twice, but based on early results this season, Chicago might consider allowing Bush to see more of the field.
Follow the Heavy on Bears Facebook page to share your thoughts on all the latest Bears news, rumors, content, and more!
Bush and Jackson have spent more time together in the Bears secondary than anybody else.
Bush and Jackson are in their sixth season in Chicago, along with fellow safety DeAndre Houston-Carson. That’s more time than anybody else in the secondary has been with the club.
According to Sports Illustrated, Jackson remarked of Gipson losing time, “It stings, particularly to watch a player like Gip go down.” “However, knowing that Bush and DHC are on our side gives us a sense of security, knowing that they know the game and how we play.” We still have that kind of chemistry because we train with them.”
It’s uncertain if Bush will be the solution in the end, but there’s little doubt that he and Jackson get along. DC Sean Desai, hopefully, will continue to provide him with chances to develop.
READ NEXT: Bears QB Justin Fields Responds Brutally to Aaron Rodgers
