Eddie Jackson is a long way from the dizzying heights of 2018 when he was widely considered one of the best safeties in the NFL. Over the past two seasons, the former All-Pro has failed to record an interception. Many have started to view him as overpriced and a one-trick pony. That is fair. If you don’t produce in this league, be prepared to accept the consequences. There is no doubt the 2022 season might be the tipping point in Jackson’s career.
He’ll be 29-years old in December. One more down season and it feels like a foregone conclusion the Bears will seek to unload his large contract next offseason. He has to have a good year, both for his future and his sanity. Plenty of people are skeptical. They feel whatever player he was four years ago is unlikely to return at this point. It is rare players ever recapture their old greatness after such a prolonged drought.
There is room for some optimism though.
That comes in the form of Alan Williams. Head coach Matt Eberflus brought him over from Indianapolis to become the Bears’ new defensive coordinator. While he is familiar with every facet of a defense, the bread and butter of Williams’ background is defensive backs. Especially safeties. Since 2002, he’s had a hand in coaching some excellent players at that position including Bob Sanders and Harrison Smith. What gets lost on people is how much his influence as a coach seems to have.
Glover Quin was considered a solid safety by the end of 2013, collected three interceptions that season for Detroit. The next year when Williams arrived, he posted a career-high seven interceptions. James Ihedigbo, their other starter that year, also had a career-best four interceptions. Follow his coaching timeline and good safety play can be found everywhere. This is something that can’t be overlooked with Eddie Jackson.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
He’s going to be utilized according to his strengths. That means lots of deep coverage where he’ll be allowed to survey and make plays on the football. Adding two quality box safeties in Jaquan Brisker and Dane Cruikshank will only help that endeavor. Williams also champions a takeaway-first mentality, something that jives with Jackson more than any other coach he’s played for.
Put it this way. If the longtime Bears starter can’t regain his mojo under these conditions, he truly is a lost cause.
