NEWSLETTER
One of the Bears’ most prominent special teams contributors is back in the mix.
Welcome back, old friend!
We have signed DeAndre Houston-Carson to a one-year deal.
Welcome back! 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JpkBIizNVv
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 29, 2019
The team announced the re-signing of safety/core special teams player DeAndre Houston-Carson to a one-year contract. Chicago did not tender a restricted free-agent contract to Houston-Carson earlier in March, which allowed him to explore the market before re-signing with the team. And yet, Houston-Carson is back with the team that drafted him in the sixth round back in 2016.
The return of Houston-Carson brings some semblance of depth to the safety position. Prior to his re-signing with the team, the only safety behind starters Eddie Jackson and HaHa Clinton-Dix was Deon Bush. This isn’t to say Houston-Carson solves the Bears’ long-term needs for safety depth, because it doesn’t. However, having Bush and Houston-Carson as short-term options as reserves keeps a core group in tact and allows the Bears to position themselves to add further help as the offseason develops without going out of their way to do so.
Houston-Carson is an underrated piece of the bigger puzzle. He isn’t a starter and doesn’t get a ton of reps in big moments, but he is a valuable reserve in the secondary and is a key component on special teams. Only Joel Iyiegbuniwe and Nick Kwiatkoski played more special teams snaps than the 260 that Houston-Carson was on the field for in 2018. Along with the return of Sherrick McManis, that means the Bears’ top four players in special teams snaps are back. That group will need to step its game up in 2019, because it left much to be desired as it graded as one of the lowest-rated units in football last year.
On the bright side, there’s nowhere to go but up! And if Houston-Carson is a part of an upward trend, then this signing will be applauded.
