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Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Eddie Jackson met for the first time during Jackson's recruitment visit to Alabama.
Clinton-Dix successfully hosted high school in South Florida and played a season together for the Crimson Tide in 2013.
The situation was reversed on Thursday at Halas Hall, when Jackson's recruiting speech paid off as Clinton-Ten agreed to sign a one-year, $ 3.5 million deal with the Bears to play safely alongside his former teammate. At a teleconference with Chicago reporters Friday, Clinton-Dix said he and Jackson had talked throughout the 2018 season, challenging themselves to play their best game.
So when it was time for Clinton-Dix to find a new home in the NFL via a free agency after four and a half seasons with the Packers and nine other games with the Redskins, Jackson played a "big role".
"During this process, he spoke to me about Chicago culture and I agreed," Clinton-Dix said. "I was leaving for the ride and I'm excited about it. Eddie and I are very similar players and that makes things difficult for the quarterbacks. We can both play left and right. It will be fun and a challenge for other teams. "
Jackson posted a picture of himself on his Instagram photo kneeling next to Clinton-Dix after a Bears-Packers match with the caption "Plan de Dieu". Jackson was at Halas Hall on Thursday to work to accommodate the latest member of the Bears after changing allegiance in the rivalry.
Clinton-Dix, 26, confirmed a report from the NFL Network that he would have received larger cash offers from other teams. But he chose the Bears to prove himself that he can be part of what he thinks is a championship caliber team.
He added that if Jackson had not escaped the Bears defeat of the Eagles in the playoffs with a sprained right ankle, they might have advanced to the bottom of the playoffs.
"You see so many guys coming to the end of their career, their successful career, and now they are trying to chase a ring," said Clinton-Dix. "I have the opportunity to do it in my early youth. If you ask me, Chicago was an Eddie Jackson (playoff appearance) far from winning a Super Bowl last year. So, if it was possible to be part of this team and contribute to games and find my name, I'm excited about that. "
Clinton-Dix, a first round pick in 2014, had 14 steals during his tenure with the Packers, including 11 in the last three seasons.
But Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said in October that performance problems have prompted him to trade Clinton-Dix – sometimes criticized for his inconsistency – against the Redskins. The move also allowed the Packers to get back a fourth-round pick before Clinton-Dix left in free mode.
"I did everything right and I did what I was asked to do," Clinton-Dix said. "I think they were just looking for change. My time was up. I saw so many guys come in and do all the right things and things did not work in Green Bay. So that's what I had on my shoulders for the fifth year.
"I had to treat every match as if it was an interview. And that's what I did. And things worked well on both sides.
The 2019 season will be another job interview for Clinton-Dix, since he will play for a long-term contract.
He was Pro Bowler in 2016, when he recorded five interceptions, a career high. Another season of this type could propel him into a more ambitious affair, similar to the one that former ex-goalkeeper Bears, Adrian Amos, had agreed with the Packers.
That could be easier with his arrival in the Bears defense which included three All-Pro players in 2018 – Jackson, cornerback Kyle Fuller and linebacker Khalil Mack – and another Pro Bowl artist at Akiem Hicks. The Bears spoke throughout 2018 of how they fed on the success of their teammates.
Clinton-Dix is thrilled to be part of that.
"It's a special defense," he said. "It's a special kernel. I want to go in and prove that I'm part of something special. With so many alpha dogs in defense, it's rare and they have fun doing it. "
More dedications: The Bears have signed two contracts Friday with the players of one year. Former Falcons receiver and special teammate Marvin Hall adds depth and helps fill the void left by Josh Bellamy's departure. Defensive tackle Nick Williams also returns to reserve after playing two games in 2018.
Twitter @ChiTribKane
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