Eddie Jackson established himself in 2018 not only as one of the best players on the best defense in the NFL. He also announced his place as one of the top safeties in professional football. That’s what happens when a player delivers six interceptions in a season including two returned for touchdowns. His All-Pro nod was validation of the tremendous job GM Ryan Pace and his scouts did drafting him in the 4th round two years ago.
The big question with him is no longer how good he can be. People have already seen that. Now it’s a matter of economics. How much will it cost the Chicago Bears to make sure he stays in navy blue and orange for a good long time? Anthony Holzman-Escareno of NFL.com had contract projections for every notable player at every position in the coming year or so.
Jackson was the top name at safety and the numbers that could be involved will offer clear insight into why Pace hasn’t been recklessly spending this year.
“Safety: Eddie Jackson, Chicago Bears ($14M-$16M)
The safety market took off this offseason, with three players (Landon Collins, Tyrann Mathieu, Earl Thomas) signing contracts higher than Eric Berry’s previous positional high of $13 million per season. Jackson will surely continue the trend.”
Eddie Jackson likely will have a case to be highest-paid safety in NFL
Right now the landscape at safety sees two names tied at the top for the highest-paid in the NFL. Tyrann Mathieu is getting $14 million per year from the Kansas City Chiefs while Landon Collins received the same from the Washington Redskins. It can be easily argued that Jackson is better than both of those players.
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This would explain why Pace wasn’t as aggressive in handing out new money this year to free agents. He’s likely keeping as much as he can in order to afford the Jackson extension. The Bears have made it their policy to reward their own when they play well. Eddie Goldman, Kyle Fuller, Charles Leno, Bobby Massie, Prince Amukamara, and Akiem Hicks can all atest to this.
If Jackson delivers another strong year in 2019, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Bears lock him up during the offseason next year. Is it a lot of money for a safety? Yes. Even so, coaches and executives will say the same thing. Life doesn’t create many guys like that. So if you have him? You keep him.
