The Chicago Bears released Eddie Jackson earlier this offseason, and the veteran safety is now moving on from the Windy City. Jackson took to Instagram on Tuesday, posting a farewell message to the Bears and the city as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.
In February, the Bears moved on from Jackson and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair in a pair of cuts that saved $21 million in salary cap space, per Over The Cap.
Selected with the 112th overall pick, Jackson was nothing short of a steal in the 2017 NFL Draft. At the time, Jackson was dealing with a season-ending leg fracture he sustained during his senior year at Alabama. Despite being projected as an "average backup or special teamer," he has proven many NFL scouts wrong. In fact, of the 12 safeties drafted before Jackson, only two (Jamal Adams and Budda Baker) have earned first-team All-Pro honors (Jackson was a 2018 first-team selection).
Jackson earned first-team All-Pro honors and two Pro Bowl selections during his seven years with the Bears. Notably, he scored five defensive touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons. During his 2018 breakout campaign, Jackson logged six interceptions, one fumble recovery, and multiple clutch plays for Chicago (see his Thanksgiving pick-six against the Detroit Lions). Jackson had the playmaking ability to turn every turnover into an opportunity for a touchdown.
Jackson's production slowed in 2020 and 2021 before he found a resurgence in 2022 and recorded four interceptions, but a Lisfranc injury in Week 12 cut his bounce-back season short.
At times, Jackson was magical for the Bears. His ball-hawking abilities reminded many of former All-Pro safety Mike Brown, and his veteran presence was invaluable for the Bears' young secondary. Jackson was a true cornerstone for the Bears' defense for the first chapter of his career, and he'll certainly be missed next season.
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