One of the most perplexing issues with the Chicago Bears defense over the past two years has been the regression of safety Eddie Jackson. After posting 10 interceptions in his first three seasons with the team, he has zero over the past two. A drought nobody would’ve thought possible at one point, given his considerable instincts and ball skills. Now many Bears fans are tired of his presence.
Sure, the veteran still has value in terms of his coverage skills. That doesn’t make up for everything else, though. His tackling is still poor, and the main reason he became one of the highest-paid safeties in football was because of his takeaway capability. When that goes away, his value to the team drops significantly, enough to where people are looking for any possible way to get out from under that bloated contract.
Alas, there isn’t much that can be done.
Cutting Jackson would only incur a $3.47 million penalty to their salary cap. Trading him is also unlikely since no other team will want to take on that contract. The only course of action is to let things play out in 2022. Believer it or not, several people find this idea preferable. Both inside and outside Halas Hall. There is a strong sentiment according to Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns of The Athletic that Matt Eberflus’ new defense is going to help turn Jackson around.
“As for the rest of the defense, there’s work to be done. While defensive end Robert Quinn might not be setting another franchise sacks record, one opposing coach expects Quinn to thrive in Eberflus’ system the way he did in Dallas with Rod Marinelli. And yes, when asked about core players on the defense, defensive end Khalil Mack and safety Eddie Jackson are still considered in that category.”
It is an interesting point. Not one without merit either. The Tampa-2 defense that Eberflus likes to run has a long history of elevating safeties. John Lynch became a Hall of Famer in that system with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bob Sanders was Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 playing in it. Everybody remembers how great Mike Brown was in 2005 when healthy. Even Chris Harris made the Pro Bowl in 2010 playing in it.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Julian Blackmon +
Khari Willis =
Our Ball
📺 FOX | #MINvsIND pic.twitter.com/LW0wTDhJKr
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 20, 2020
Eberflus speaks the same language Eddie Jackson always has
Just look at his famous H.I.T.S philosophy for a reminder. Hustle, intensity, takeaways, and smarts. Jackson has preached the importance of turnovers forever. He views it as something infinitely more crucial than tackling. While that might be true, it won’t excuse him from handling those duties too. The point is this coaching staff is going to what the previous one failed. That is work to his biggest strengths.
Eddie Jackson likes taking the ball away. So it is a fair assumption that Eberflus will adjust the scheme to put him in positions where he can do exactly that. It comes down to whether the safety is willing to put in the time and effort. It was warned from the start that this defense is difficult. Not because it’s complicated but because it demands 100% commitment. Everybody knows where they’re supposed to be, and everybody flies to the football.
Sometimes older players or players who got their money aren’t willing to do this.
People have questioned Jackson’s commitment to being great ever since he got that contract. It’s easy to shine when everything is going well. Since things have downturned, his impact has been felt less and less. Perhaps that will change under a staff that isn’t going to allow loafs anymore.
