Casual NFL fans might not know about backup safety DeAndre Houston-Carson.
Even some fans of the Chicago Bears don’t know about this backup on their roster.
However, DHC has been with the Bears since the team took him in the 2016 NFL Draft.
While that draft seems like it was ages ago, his name getting lost with fans comes from the Bears having two elite safeties during his career in Chicago.
These two players were Eddie Jackson and Adrian Amos.
With them around, Houston-Carson found himself a spot on special teams.
While he got very little playing time before 2020 on defense, the Bears know he’s a solid backup safety.
This is a random DeAndre Houston-Carson appreciation tweet because I feel like it.
DHC's been one of the best #Bears special teamers since he got drafted in 2016. Whenever someone in front of him gets hurt, he's played pretty well at safety. Definition of a reliable backup.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) December 6, 2022
However, his contract is expiring, and the Bears need to decide on his future in 2023.
On one side, he likely won’t be a starter if the team keeps Eddie Jackson.
But, with injuries being a part of football, the Bears need a proven guy at a cheap price to be Jackson’s backup.
While he’s not a starter, the team knows he can fill that role temporarily if needed.
Add in how he’s solid on special teams and it should be enough for the Bears to re-sign him.
He’s also 29-years-old, which means he hasn’t peaked just yet.
While some fans might not know him, he’s worth keeping around in Chicago.
He can be their secret weapon to use when teams least expect to see him.
His 2022 performance filling in for Jackson shows how he can be dangerous on defense.
In six games as a starter, Houston-Carson had 37 combined tackles and one interception.
Not bad for a backup, which is reason enough to keep him, and not release him.
