The Bears’ merry-go-round at strong safety has come to a halt — for at least one year — after the team agreed to bring Tashaun Gipson back on a one-year deal, sources confirmed.
The Bears brought Gipson, 30, in as a bargain buy last season, giving him the veteran minimum while the Texans continued to pay him as a result of cutting him after one year. He was solid playing alongside Eddie Jackson, intercepting two passes and starting all 16 games.
It will be the first time since 2018 the Bears have had the same starter at strong safety in consecutive seasons. Adrian Amos signed with the Packers after the 2018 season; the Bears replaced him with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on a one-year deal.
Gipson spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Browns and the next three with the Jaguars. He made the Pro Bowl in 2014.
His return still leaves the Bears with one gaping hole on defense: the cornerback spot once held by Kyle Fuller,
whom they cut in a salary-cap move last month. The Bears also need to find a replacement for released slot cornerback Buster Skrine but feel comfortable with in-house options.
Earlier this offseason, the Bears re-signed backup safeties DeAndre Houston-Carson and Deon Bush.
Gipson is the second addition the Bears have made in a week; receiver Marquise Goodwin signed his contract at Halas Hall on Monday.
