Eddie Jackson posts cryptic message amid uncertain future with the Chicago Bears

It's currently unknown what Jackson is potentially referring to with his tweets but many fans have already questioned whether the late night messages have something to do with Jackson's future in Chicago.

Jackson is slated to have an $18.1 million cap hit heading into the 2024 season, currently the third-highest price on the entire team. It's a high price to pay for a safety entering into his eighth season and even Jackson is aware of what that could mean.

"It's like, man, it's crazy," Jackson said back in December. "I haven't really thought about it. Lord willing, I hope I'm here next year. But like I said, man, God always has a plan. I feel like I'll always land on my feet. I hope it's here. I know how it works in the business, I wish I could be here my whole entire career, but we know how this thing works."

According to Spotrac, if the Bears elect to move on from Jackson, the team will only be left with $5.6 million as a dead cap hit. That number was over $20 million in each of the last four seasons. If there's anytime for the Bears to move on from their long-time leader in the secondary it unfortunately will be done this off-season.

Jackson played in 12 games for the Bears in 2023 recording a career-low 37 tackles with five pass deflections and one interception. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson allowed 12 receptions for 203 yards, three touchdowns and a 121.1 passer rating in coverage. While the stats didn't look the best for Jackson, his veteran leadership on the field made up for the lack of production.

"I know [the season] didn't go exactly the way that he wanted to," Bears general manager Ryan Poles said during the team's end of season press conference. "I thought where his impact is, is really with [Jaquan] Brisker and the communication on the back end. When Eddie was in you can tell Brisker felt really, really comfortable, and really that whole group. He really impacts the communication and you can see that."

Jackson's subpar season mixed with his extremely high cap hit in 2024 makes him an ideal cut candidate for the Bears this off-season. Based on his messages on Thursday night, that decision might be made real soon.

Being without Jackson in 2024 will be a major blow to the Bears' locker room but it sends a statement to the young players in the secondary. The future is now and it's time for them to step up as leaders in the locker room. Brisker will be one of those players who will have biggest expectation change in terms of being thrust into the leadership role in the secondary going into his third season if Jackson gets cut.

Jackson has played all seven of his NFL seasons with the Bears after being selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact on the team in the secondary and was named to the Pro Bowl following the 2018 and 2019 seasons. In 2018, Jackson was also named as a First-Team All-Pro after recording six interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. However, his greatest impact on the team will be the legacy and impact he'll leave behind in the locker room as a true pro's pro if he's indeed gone.

"To be here seven years and watch different coaches come, different GMs, different players, you build those relationship with them," Jackson said. "And you learn from the older guys and for us now it's to pass it down to the younger guys and just seeing how I can affect someone just by being around them–with your presence, through conversation, it means everything. I love it. I enjoy it. And I don't take it for granted."

Jackson quickly developed into a fan favorite player but his play has regressed just as quickly over the last two seasons. Maybe a fresh start can help him get his career back on track while the Bears look to keep the youth movement going in the secondary.