3 bargain free agents the Chargers should look to sign in free agency

3. Deon Bush

In the Bradon Staley defensive system, lots of secondary players are required given the team's high usage rates of dime and nickel packages. These secondary players often play in place of linebackers who subsequently receive fewer snaps. With Kyzir White projected to hit free agency this offseason, the Chargers could choose to counteract his loss by signing more players in the secondary and playing even more nickel, dime, or dollar coverage packages. 

If the Chargers decide to go that route, Bears S Deon Bush should be someone the team seriously considers. At 28, Bush is coming off the best season of his career. After being on the practice squad and being a pre-season-only type of guy for most of his career, he played 377 snaps on defense (44% of the team's total) and 203 special teams snaps in 2021. During his 14 games this year, four of which he started, the University of Miami product tallied two interceptions, five passes defended, and 40 tackles.

Bush shouldn't come in and be a starter by any means, but bringing in a veteran safety to help Nasir Adderley, Alohi Gilman and Mark Webb develop, whilst also providing depth in extra DB packages should make him appealing. His special teams ability could add even more value to his name, especially given how porous the Chargers special teams have been the last few years. 

Deon Bush also has some connections to the LA staff as he played in Chicago while Brandon Staley and Jay Rodgers (Chargers D-line coach) were assistants on the defensive staff for the Bears.

With Matt Eberflus coming in and likely changing schemes on the Bears defense, Bush could find himself on the outside looking in when it comes to potentially returning to Chicago, setting himself up nicely to reunite with some of his old coaches in LA.

If the Chargers can ink Bush to a one year, $1.5 million contract, then it would go down as a smart move by the front office.

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