The Chicago Bears defense has more than pulled its weight over the past few years. Their consistent excellence has allowed the team to remain competitive in the NFC despite ongoing issues with the offense. Perhaps this has created unfair expectations for that side of the ball. Then again these are expectations the players themselves have welcomed. Even fueled. Among them is safety Eddie Jackson who felt this unit had a chance to be as good as the 1985 group.
That obviously never came to pass. If anything the defense has regressed steadily the past two years. Nobody exemplifies this more than Jackson himself. After six interceptions and an All-Pro season in 2018, the safety managed two interceptions in 2019 and zero in 2020. While ill-timed penalties played a part in that low number, it is still something worth criticizing. Jackson just hasn’t played well.
Once considered among the NFL’s best safeties, that is no longer the case.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler got in touch with several top executives and coaches around the league. He gauged who they felt are the ten best safeties right now. Jackson was not on that list. He had to settle for an honorable mention and even that came with some rather lukewarm “praise.” The executive quoted basically called him not only good at just one thing but far from useful in any other facet.
“He has a very good trait with his ability to take the ball away … Good, not great athlete, lacks special top-end speed, and he’s been inconsistent as a tackler. Not the most physical.”
Harsh. Is it fair though? Honestly, yes. Jackson didn’t play well last season in any area of the game. Quarterbacks had a 110.1 passer rating when throwing in his direction. His angles in run defense were routinely poor and he missed a career-high 13 tackles. He also failed to record a sack or pressure despite blitzing 14 times, by far the most of his career. It is little wonder people are so frustrated with him. Especially after the Bears made him the highest-paid safety in the NFL not too long ago.
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Eddie Jackson won’t have many excuses left if he flops again
One could argue the Bears have approached this offseason catering to him. After Chuck Pagano retired, rather than hire a more experienced defensive coordinator they decided to promote Sean Desai instead. Not only is Desai a disciple of Vic Fangio who made Jackson a star, but he was also the safeties coach the previous two seasons. If anybody knows what it will take to get him back to his customary Pro Bowl level, it’s Desai.
That being said, the coordinator can’t be responsible for everything. Eddie Jackson needs to play better. If he wants to remain one of the primary leaders on this defense, he’ll have to back up his words on the field. That wasn’t done last season. He still gets the benefit of the doubt for now. That won’t last much longer if the interception drought and bad run angles linger for too long into 2021.
This is a big year for him.
Jackson seems to sense it too. That might explain why he made the decision to switch jersey numbers. Instead of his usual #39 he’s worn since his rookie year, he chose to switch to #4. The same digit he had in college at Alabama. This represents a chance at a fresh start for the 27-year old. Maybe that will serve him well.
can’t cover can’t tackle has a very loooooooow football IQ.
Eddie Jackson is a bum