I do everything in my power to not put too much stock into what happens during exhibition games, but I can’t help it if the Chicago Bears have been represented in each installment of Pro Football Focus’ Team of the Week throughout the preseason.
Safety Deon Bush was the recipient of the second highest grade at his position this week, earning a spot on PFF’s Team of the Week for preseason Week 3. Bush made the most of the 25 defensive snaps he played as he collected three tackles, defended a pass, and came up with an impressive interception return touchdown. It all added up to a 91.8 grade for Bush. Only Jaquan Johnson of the Bills (97.7) picked up a higher grade for his efforts.
Seriously, I can’t get over how this:
What if I told you the end result of this play was a Bears touchdown? pic.twitter.com/Vj0DzAYXwu
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 25, 2019
… turned into this:
https://twitter.com/BN_Bears/status/1165413214873706497
Bush joins punter Pat O’Donnell (Preseason Week 1) and cornerback Clifton Duck (Preseason Week 2) as having standout performances that made the cut and earn high marks by PFF’s standards. And try as I might to avoid drawing strong conclusions from what happens in the preseason, I can’t help but feel it is necessary to tip my cap to’ depth players such as Bush and Duck balling out and playing at a high level.
When Eddie Jackson went down with an injury last season, it was Bush who filled in admirably. So much so, there was a point this offseason when we would have been OK with Bush taking over for Adrian Amos in playing alongside Jackson in 2019. But that option went out the window when the team signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to a one-year “prove it” deal. Even still … Bush is a quality depth option to have in case something unfortunate happens to either of the Bears’ top safety options. Because while having high-end starters is obviously good, rostering a starting-caliber safety on the bench has its perks.