Eddie Jackson Gone

[adam]

Jackson posted several cryptic messages on social media, but all allude to him being gone from Chicago. So there is the first domino and Whitehair is probably next. Those moves will open up a ton of cap space and now we can project the need for a new FS in free agency or in the draft. 

Eddie started out hot, got paid and hurt. Unfortunately, he was a different player after the injury. He shied away from contact too much, and at times just seemed like the 11th guy on the field running around away from the play. 

 

[DABEARSDABOMB]

Eddie underperformed on field during tail end of Nagy era and I know he was hurt this year - but overall - he was a very good leader in terms of how he helped younger players and I do think that leadership will be missed. So many stories of what he did to build the young culture around our current group of DB's (Brisker, JJ, Stevenson, Smith, Kyler).  

I was really hoping we'd be able to renegotiate and keep him around - even if it was in a more vet leadership role - knowing he wouldn't get as much playing time cause he can't stay on the field.  He had a stellar first year under Eberflus though (where he really looked re-engaged).  Once Fangio left the next regimes did not put Eddie in the spot to maximize his ability and skill set.  

[BearFan PHX]

In some ways, Jackson was the Fields of the defense.

Everyone liked him, his best season was in the past, and all his big plays came off of making plays rather than playing in structure. BOth are said to need schemes around them that are tailored to their improvisational instincts.

To be fair, a FS can generally freelance more than a QB in a typical scheme, but Jackson was really undisciplined, and also unlike Fields, he made a lot of really bad plays that cost us while he was freelancing.

Jackson played himself off the team.

[adam]

1 hour ago, BearFan PHX said:

In some ways, Jackson was the Fields of the defense.

Everyone liked him, his best season was in the past, and all his big plays came off of making plays rather than playing in structure. BOth are said to need schemes around them that are tailored to their improvisational instincts.

To be fair, a FS can generally freelance more than a QB in a typical scheme, but Jackson was really undisciplined, and also unlike Fields, he made a lot of really bad plays that cost us while he was freelancing.

Jackson played himself off the team.

What's crazy is he got hurt in the last game the Bears beat the Packers (2018), and never was the same player since. The split is wild:

Pre-Injury: 30 games, 8 INT, 3 TD, 21 PD
Post-Injury: 70 games, 7 INT, 0 TD, 23 PD

He had a little blip in 2022 finally getting some INTs, but outside of a few games in 2022, he really has done nothing for 65+ games other than be a guy on the field. He really has been a liability out there. As much as they talked up his leadership, there were the times he was telling younger players not to worry about tackling, so besides for being a nice guy, good with the media, etc, he probably was kept a year too long, but with cap restraints, there was nothing Poles could do. Everyone knew his tackling was bad, but his tackles dropped in half from 2022, he averaged only 3 tackles a game, no FF, and no TFL. 

Even PFF grades, he peaked at 93.2 in 2018, hit 76.2 in 2022, 67.0 in 2019, and was under 60 in 2023, 2021, and 2020. What is sad is he was known for his coverage skills and he was one of the worst Safeties in coverage this season (7th worst in man, 44th best in zone) for Safeties with at least 377 snaps at S. 

[Stinger226]

6 minutes ago, adam said:

What's crazy is he got hurt in the last game the Bears beat the Packers (2018), and never was the same player since. The split is wild:

Pre-Injury: 30 games, 8 INT, 3 TD, 21 PD
Post-Injury: 70 games, 7 INT, 0 TD, 23 PD

He had a little blip in 2022 finally getting some INTs, but outside of a few games in 2022, he really has done nothing for 65+ games other than be a guy on the field. He really has been a liability out there. As much as they talked up his leadership, there were the times he was telling younger players not to worry about tackling, so besides for being a nice guy, good with the media, etc, he probably was kept a year too long, but with cap restraints, there was nothing Poles could do. Everyone knew his tackling was bad, but his tackles dropped in half from 2022, he averaged only 3 tackles a game, no FF, and no TFL. 

Even PFF grades, he peaked at 93.2 in 2018, hit 76.2 in 2022, 67.0 in 2019, and was under 60 in 2023, 2021, and 2020. What is sad is he was known for his coverage skills and he was one of the worst Safeties in coverage this season (7th worst in man, 44th best in zone) for Safeties with at least 377 snaps at S. 

I think he had a few exceptional years , got paid, injuries started coming and he got comfortable. The mistake was Pace paying him that big a contract. Poles isn't going to be making those mistakes. Sweat deal had to be done but , you can find Ss at cheaper costs. That's why I think he tags JJ and doesn't give him the big contract. He will offer him 20 mil, if doesn't take it, goodbye (Roquan Smith). He can tag him two years and still will be cheaper than the 23 mil he's going to ask for . He didn't draft Terrell Smith for fun, one more year and he will take JJs place.

[BearFan PHX]

4 hours ago, adam said:

What's crazy is he got hurt in the last game the Bears beat the Packers (2018), and never was the same player since. The split is wild:

Pre-Injury: 30 games, 8 INT, 3 TD, 21 PD
Post-Injury: 70 games, 7 INT, 0 TD, 23 PD

He had a little blip in 2022 finally getting some INTs, but outside of a few games in 2022, he really has done nothing for 65+ games other than be a guy on the field. He really has been a liability out there. As much as they talked up his leadership, there were the times he was telling younger players not to worry about tackling, so besides for being a nice guy, good with the media, etc, he probably was kept a year too long, but with cap restraints, there was nothing Poles could do. Everyone knew his tackling was bad, but his tackles dropped in half from 2022, he averaged only 3 tackles a game, no FF, and no TFL. 

Even PFF grades, he peaked at 93.2 in 2018, hit 76.2 in 2022, 67.0 in 2019, and was under 60 in 2023, 2021, and 2020. What is sad is he was known for his coverage skills and he was one of the worst Safeties in coverage this season (7th worst in man, 44th best in zone) for Safeties with at least 377 snaps at S. 

it's a huge difference, and a good lesson in why you dont wait too long for something youre not seeing on the field.

I think Fangio let him freelance and he got lucky, or maybe his natural instincts just worked with that scheme. I dunno. i cant imagine he forgot how to run the plays, who to cover etc, but he seems to have done just that. Or he was always a gambler, and he had a lucky streak and then an unlucky one?

Whatever it is, we wont be spending big money on it.

And also, i tend to deal with these players on here like they are Madden personas, and it should be said that Eddie Jackson is a person too, and probably a very good one. And while it sucks to lose your slot as a starter or in the league, he will leave with a ton of cash, and some amazing memories.

Look at Mitch Trubisky. His NFL dreams never really took hold. We can call him a bust or a loser. But at the same time, he has career earnings of $46 Million dollars, and is probably worth $15M and has a knockout gorgeous wife.

So if ya get in the game, it's rough, but probably worth it.

See ya around Eddie Jackson.

[killakrzydav]

happy trails