Chuck Pagano Proves Again He Thinks Deon Bush Is Being Slept On

Deon Bush wasn’t much of a factor in the Chicago Bears defensive plans during his first three years with the team. He was a 4th round pick in 2016 and spent most of his time as a deep backup who helped on special teams. It wasn’t until last season that things seemed to shift ever so slightly for him. It started with high praise from defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano during training camp, followed by some big moments in the preseason.

From there the 26-year old got snaps every single week on defense. Not a lot, but Pagano always seemed to slide him onto the field for a handful of plays. Trying to get him some playing experience while also giving breathers to Eddie Jackson and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. If people weren’t sure how Pagano and the team felt about his progress before, the team re-signing him in free agency was a big sign.

Pagano then made it clear during his latest press conference. The team has no plans to hand the job to veteran Tashaun Gipson. Bush will get his shot because he’s earned it.

“Ballskills. Anticipation. Range. You got to be able to tackle…blitz. We’re going to ask them to do a lot of things. They both can do that, Deon and Gip. It’s going to be a great competition…

…They’re going to get equal number snaps with the ones. They’re going to have to come in here and compete day after day after day. It’s going to be a little bit different obviously with no preseason. But we’re going to create a competition and create the situations to where we can do an honest eval on those guys and give them both an opportunity to win that job.”

Chuck Pagano knows defensive backs so his belief in Bush matters

It’s important to remember that Pagano was a defensive backs coach in both college and the NFL before ascending to the higher positions. He understands better than most what traits to look for in the good ones. That is why his steady support of Bush is so interesting. He seems to believe the career backup can accomplish much more. It’s all about giving him that chance.

He certainly wouldn’t be the first Bears safety to go from longtime backup and special teams guy to starter. Shaun Gayle filled that exact same role back in the 1980s. He was a backup from 1984 to 1987. Then in 1988, he became a starter. By 1991 he was in the Pro Bowl. So there are success stories like this. Bush is capable of making that leap.

He just has to get past Gipson to do it.