Eddie Jackson has played with some outstanding coaches in his football career. He enjoyed the Nick Saban experience at Alabama. Then he played under defensive mastermind Vic Fangio with the Chicago Bears for two years. Both men are considered two of the best of their generations at what they do. So when Jackson offers high praise to a coach, it is worth noting since it comes from experience.
Jackson is already a big fan of the new Bears coaching staff. He believes head coach Matt Eberflus has charted the team on an exciting new course. They have an identity in mind for this team and are pushing everybody to embrace it. The results are already noticeable on the field. One person that has completely changed Jackson’s perspective on how to play his position is new safeties coach Andre Curtis. The former All-Pro showered the Bears assistant with praise.
Curtis may have been one of Eberflus’ best hires of the off-season.
When looking at the Seattle Seahawks defense over the past four years, it hasn’t been overly impressive. At the same time, they’ve gotten lots of high-caliber play from their secondary. Curtis ran that part of their defense starting in 2017. He went on to help Shaquill Griffin, Jamal Adams, and Quandre Diggs all make the Pro Bowl. That is the sign of a coach who knows what he’s doing. Now he inherits Jackson along with 2nd round pick Jaquan Brisker. One could argue their talent is comparable to what Curtis had in Seattle.
Eddie Jackson can’t afford another letdown year.
He’s gone two consecutive seasons without an interception. The Bears made him one of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL because he could force turnovers. Now he is in a defense that is built around that skill. GM Ryan Poles has already unloaded multiple veterans with expensive contracts because they weren’t living up to them. He won’t get another free pass if he underachieves in 2022.
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The Bears could cut him for $7.5 million in cap space next year. Poles already prove he’s not afraid to eat dead money with such decisions. Everything is up to Eddie Jackson. Curtis is an excellent coach who knows how to get the best from his players. The scheme itself is designed to help safeties make plays. There are no more excuses. He seems confident things will turn around for him this year—time to prove it.
I am just about ready to watch a few real games and find out if any of the coaches, draft picks, etc. are any good at all. I am hopeful but realistic in my expectations.
One thing for sure, he isn’t going to be able to run over the coaches like he did the last two years. Thats one thing I like about this staff from the top to bottom. The coaches run the team. Not the players.