The Chicago Bears made “competition” the buzz word of 2020 training camp this year. After a disappointing 2019 season, they wanted to make it clear that nobody should feel safe about their jobs. This was hammered home when they traded for Nick Foles in March. An undeniable sign that Mitch Trubisky, their former #2 pick was being put on notice.
Obviously the quarterback competition has garnered the most headlines. However, has it been the most productive battle in camp? Not according to color analyst Tom Thayer. The former guard has watched all the practices. He’s seen every noteworthy head-to-head fight for jobs from Jaylon Johnson and Kevin Toliver at cornerback to Javon Wims and Riley Ridley at wide receiver.
In his eyes though, the cream of the crop this past month has definitely been at safety between Deon Bush and Tashaun Gipson. He spoke glowingly of their efforts in a recent video for the Bears Youtube.
“In what we’ve seen so far, the competitiveness between Tashaun Gipson and Deon Bush. Really important for the success of this defense. But it’s really been a great competition. Both of these guys have made plays. Both of these guys have made big hits in the course of practice. And they’re making it really difficult because there’s a quarterback competition going on on the other side of the ball.”
What has impressed Thayer the most aside from the play on the field between the two is how they’ve approached things. Both came right out and said they expect to be the starter. That’s how they’re preparing and playing every single day. It definitely shows. Neither is backing down and the productivity on the field continues to follow. That makes the decision all the harder for defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.
Then again it may not matter. The Bears went with three-safety looks quite a few times in 2019. They may feel compelled to do that even more often this season. Is there a leader to this point? It doesn’t seem that way. This is one of those instances where it should go all the way down to the wire.
