5 reasons why the Bears defense will be even better in 2020

There is reason to believe that this 2020 Bears defense can be much better than last year – and possibly rival that 2018 season.

3. Eddie Jackson moving back to free safety

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

After leading the league in takeaways with 36 in 2018, the Bears dipped to 19 last year, which ranked 22nd in the league. While Eddie Jackson didn’t have a bad season by any means, the Bears certainly missed his presence at free safety last season. When Chicago brought in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, they moved Jackson to strong safety, where he had two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Jackson, who inked a four-year extension that made him the highest-paid safety in the NFL this offseason, thrived at free safety in his first two years in the league. He proved to be an instinctive playmaker with a penchant for the ball. During his first two years, Jackson tallied eight interceptions, 21 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and scored five defensive touchdowns, which garnered him All-Pro and Pro-Bowl nods in 2018 and a Pro Bowl nod in 2019.

With the arrival of safety Tashaun Gipson, the expectation remains that Jackson will return to free safety, where the Bears will be looking for him to return to his ballhawk form.

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