Tag: bears safety

Bears signing former All-Pro S Kevin Byard to 2-year deal

According to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, the Bears are signing former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.

The Chicago Bears are signing former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to a 2-year deal, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, after visiting the team a day earlier. The deal is worth $15 million.

Byard is a nine-year veteran who burst onto the scene with the Tennessee Titans and became one of the league’s best safeties during the end of the 2010s and early 2020s.

Byard was drafted by the Titans in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft and exploded during his second season when he had eight interceptions, which led to him earning All-Pro honors. He continued to be one of the better safeties in the game, totaling 27 interceptions in eight seasons. Last year, Byard was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in hopes of boosting their injury-depleted secondary. He combined for just one interception and three pass breakups to go along with 122 total tackles in 2023.

Now, Byard joins the Bears and takes over for Eddie Jackson, who was released last month. He is set to play next to Jaquan Brisker, giving Chicago another veteran defensive back to round out their secondary.

30 Most Important Bears of 2023: No. 11 Jaquan Brisker

At No. 11 in our 30 Most Important Bears of 2023 is Jaquan Brisker, a player who could be on the verge of stardom this season.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2023 NFL season, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization. There are a number of players, coaches and front office members that are crucial to the team’s success this season.

Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2023 season. We’ll recap their 2022 season, look ahead to 2023 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

Up next at No. 11 is safety Jaquan Brisker, the standout rookie from last year who could be on the verge of stardom this season.

Report: Bears sign veteran safety Marqui Christian

Tashaun Gipson and Deon Bush will battle for the starting safety job. But now, there’s another safety in the mix for the Bears.

The Chicago Bears have a vacancy at safety opposite two-time Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson. And they’re going to have some real competition at safety in training camp.

Tashaun Gipson and Deon Bush will battle for the starting job with just training camp reps. But now, there’s another safety in the mix.

The Bears signed veteran safety Marqui Christian, according to reports from Turron Davenport and Chris Emma. Chicago met with Christian on Sunday.

Earlier this offseason, the Bears signed veteran Jordan Lucas to a one-year deal. But following Lucas’ decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to health and safety concerns amid COVID-19, Chicago was down a safety. Which is why they brought in Christian.

Christian, a former fifth-round pick out of Midwestern State, recorded 83 tackles, three pass breakups and one tackle for loss in four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.

If Christian were to find a home with the Bears, he wouldn’t be available until Week 3. According to Field Yates, Christian was suspended for the first two weeks of the regular season. Earlier this offseason, he agreed to a deal with the New York Jets in free agency that eventually fell through.

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Bears safety Eddie Jackson wants opportunity to play on offense

Eddie Jackson knows how to make plays on defense. Now, the Bears’ safety wants an opportunity to showcase his playmaking ability on offense.

Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson is one of the team’s biggest playmakers. In his first three seasons, he’s established himself as a ballhawk on defense. But Jackson made it clear that he’d like to get an opportunity to also make plays elsewhere.

When appearing on Good Morning Football, Jackson was asked about perhaps getting an opportunity to play some on offense. And Jackson, who played wide receiver in high school, made it known to Matt Nagy that he wants the chance.

“Coach, you know I’ve been asking you since you walked into the building, all I need is two or three plays, Coach,” Jackson said on GMFB. “Just two or three plays, we put a little package in there. Get a little disguise get (Khalil) Mack in there, get Akiem (Hicks) in there.”

All Jackson wants is a chance to show that he can be a versatile weapon, whether it’s on defense or offense.

“Like I said, it’s just opportunity,” he said. “If I mess it up, you don’t got to put me in there. You can take all the packages out. But, I doubt it.”

Just two years ago, head coach Matt Nagy had some fun integrating some defensive players into some trick plays on offense. One of 2018’s most memorable touchdowns was when defensive end Akiem Hicks did his best William “Refrigerator” Perry impression with a goal-line touchdown run against the New York Giants.

Every week, defensive players would sit in meeting rooms wondering who was going to get the call from Nagy in one of Chicago’s many trick plays.

But those gimmicks weren’t present on offense last season, especially as Nagy’s unit struggled as one of the NFL’s worst offenses. Perhaps Nagy can find a way to get creative on offense and return to the kind of fun that this team had in its successful 2018 season.

And if Nagy is looking for someone to step in on offense, Jackson’s track record of making plays and scoring touchdowns speaks for itself.

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Chuck Pagano reiterates the starting safety competition is wide open

The Bears need to determine a starting safety opposite Eddie Jackson, and they don’t have a lot of time to do that.

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The Chicago Bears have a number of starting jobs up for grabs in training camp, including a pair in the secondary.

Following the departure of safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in free agency, the Bears need to find a running mate for free safety Eddie Jackson. And they don’t have a lot of time to find him.

Chicago re-signed Deon Bush to a one-year deal this offseason, and he was the presumptive starter until the Bears added veteran Tashaun Gipson in free agency.

But while Gipson is now the favorite to become the starter, Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano insists that the competition for the starting safety is “wide open” in training camp.

“They’re going to have to come in here and compete day after day after day,” Pagano told reporters last week. “It’s going to be a little bit different, obviously, with no preseason, but we’re going to create the competition and create the situations where we can do an honest eval on those guys and give them both an opportunity to win that job.”

Without offseason reps in organized team activities or preseason, it gives Pagano a smaller sample size to make a decision. Which is where Gipson would have the advantage given his veteran experience.

Still, the Bears have been high on Bush, who’s going to need a strong training camp performance if he’s going to edge out Gipson for the starting job.

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The Bears had a visit with former Rams safety Marqui Christian

The Bears did some homework on free-agent safety Marqui Christian, who played four seasons with the Rams.

Following Jordan Lucas’ decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, the Chicago Bears lost a veteran safety they were likely going to carry on their 53-man roster.

While Eddie Jackson, Tashaun Gipson and Deon Bush are locks to make the roster, there are certainly some options for that fourth safety spot, including DeAndre Houston-Carson and Sherrick McManis. But it hasn’t stopped the Bears from exploring other veterans on the free-agent market.

The Bears met with veteran safety Marqui Christian on Sunday, according to Albert Breer.

Christian, a former fifth-round pick out of Midwestern State, recorded 83 tackles, three pass breakups and one tackle for loss in four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.

If Christian were to find a home with the Bears, he wouldn’t be available until Week 3. According to Field Yates, Christian was suspended for the first two weeks of the regular season. Earlier this offseason, he agreed to a deal with the New York Jets in free agency that eventually fell through.

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Rodney Harrison compares Bears safety Eddie Jackson’s instincts to Ed Reed

In 3 seasons, Eddie Jackson has established himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL. And he’s been compared to one of the best.

In just three seasons, Bears safety Eddie Jackson has established himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL. And Chicago compensated him as one, signing the former fourth-round draft pick to a four-year extension worth $58.4 million, making him the highest-paid safety in the game.

Jackson has been praised for his vision and instincts, something that has made him quite the ballhawk in his first two years in the league. In his first two seasons, Jackson totaled 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 Jackson certainly has a fan in former Super Bowl-winning safety Rodney Harrison.

“I think this young player is a terrific player,” Harrison said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “Good size, great instincts, everything that you want in an all-star caliber safety. I thought he played a little out of position last year, playing a little more strong safety, I think he’s a more of a natural, ballhawking free safety. They need to bring somebody in to play that (strong safety) position. Just let him roam with his athleticism.”

While Jackson had a solid season in 2019 — which included his second Pro Bowl nod — he didn’t as many as those explosive plays that he’s become known for, which can be attributed to moving him to the box. Like many, Harrison believes Jackson’s great contributions come when he’s operating in centerfield, similar to one of the best to ever do it in Ed Reed.

“I think Eddie Jackson needs to go in the middle of the field, because he’s got so much range and so much vision,” Harrison said. “You look at the vision and the instincts, it’s like Ed Reed. Why would you take him out of the center of the field, and put him as the strong safety? If you’re going to do anything, send him off the edge, bring him, blitz him, disguise, move around, do all those different things.”

When the Bears signed Jackson’s Alabama teammate Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to join him in the secondary, they moved Jackson to strong safety, where he wasn’t able to contribute in the way he’s been known to roam the middle of the field.

“A guy goes from getting his hands on the ball, strips, INTs, pass breakups, and then you take him out of the center, where he was a first-team All-Pro, and I actually voted for him, and you put him in the box?” Harrison said. “It’s crazy. You don’t have to pigeonhole him, but don’t put him in the box solely, because you just limit his ability and what he can do.”

Thankfully, Jackson figures to return to free safety this season, and veteran Tashaun Gipson or Deon Bush will likely occupy the strong safety role, which should mean more of those explosive plays are on the way in 2020.

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Bears safety Deon Bush is ready to take the next step

Bears safety Deon Bush has been putting that work in to take the next step in his career.

This offseason former fourth-round safety Deon Bush resigned with the Chicago Bears on a one-year, $1.4 million deal. Bush has been in 54 games for the Bears and has only started eight. Last year, Bush started in zero games but played in 15 while recording eight tackles and two pass deflections.

While sitting behind Adrian Amos and HaHa Clinton-Dix for the past four years, Bush is ready to take over the free safety position but will have to compete with free-agent acquisition Tashaun Gipson. Gipson was released by the Houston Texans after signing a three-year, $22.5 million contract, but is now with the Bears on a one-year, $1 million deal.

“I feel like every year I’ve been getting more comfortable with the game,” Bush said on Bears All Access. “I think this is going to be a big year and I feel like I’ve been putting in work and I’m ready to take the next step. I’m ready to go into training camp and compete with the guys. We got some great safeties in the room and that’s going to elevate all our games.”

While the Bears are waiting for training camp to start on July 21, Bush has been training back at home in Miami, Florida, since March with new teammate Artie Burns, who came over in free agency from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Eddie Jackson.

“We are doing a lot of one-on-ones. I just did a lot of work with Artie Burns and I have seen Eddie (Jackson) and I did a workout with him since he was down in Miami,” Bush said. “Basically, I’m working my craft, working my eyes, watching a lot of film, and I’m feeling very comfortable. I really can’t wait to get back to camp.”

Most of the competition heading into training camp seems to be coming from the offense, but the defense has one position to keep an eye on. Bush is heading into his fifth year as a Chicago Bear and this might be the greatest chance he has of earning the starting free safety spot even though he’s going up against an experienced Pro Bowler in Gipson.

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No one misses football more than Bears safety Eddie Jackson

Bears safety Eddie Jackson is itching to return to the football field in preparation of the 2020 season.

If you think you missed football, you probably don’t miss it as much as Bears safety Eddie Jackson.

The two-time Pro Bowl safety is itching to return to the football field in preparation of the 2020 season. He’d even jump at the opportunity to be in a meeting room watching film with the defensive backs. Yeah, he’s got it bad.

“Man, I’m just ready to get back,” Jackson told reporters Thursday. “I don’t care if they tell us to wear a facemask in the building. They just need to let us back in the building.

“I really miss football and it’s like I don’t know if I can say it enough. I’d give up anything right now just to go sit in a meeting room right now just to watch film with my teammates. It’s just so crazy. I feel like this is the longest I’ve ever went without playing football.”

Following a disappointing 2019 season, it’s safe to assume the entire team is eager to get back on the field and prove that last year was a fluke. Luckily, they’ve got the high character guys to do just that.

“One thing about our group of guys is we have good chemistry and everyone’s a special type of guy,” Jackson said. ” No one I feel like is too big. Everyone is humble. Everyone is willing to learn and accept different challenges.

“For us, we’re going to pick up right where we left off at, but we’re going to get better at a lot of different things. We need to get better in the defensive backs room. All of that really starts [by] building relationships with guys.”

While the Bears defense is coming off a solid 2019 season, there’s certainly room for improvement. Heading into the second year under defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, there’s a sense of comfortability and confidence for this unit.

The defensive backs room will look a tad different in 2020, as the Bears will have to fill the vacancies left by cornerback Prince Amukamara and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

But there’s certainly something to look forward to in 2020. Jackson will move back to his natural free safety position, where he’s made a name for himself as a ballhawking playmaker.

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Akiem Hicks, Eddie Jackson just missed out on PFF’s Top 50 Players of 2020

Bears DT Akiem Hicks and S Eddie Jackson just missed out on making Pro Football Focus’ top 50 players of 2020.

Pro Football Focus released their Top 50 Players of 2020 list, which included outside linebacker Khalil Mack as the lone Chicago Bear. But there were two other Bears that were just outside the top 50: Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and safety Eddie Jackson.

While Hicks missed most of the 2019 season, his impact during those five games he played was enough to garner him a spot just outside the top 50. The Bears defense was a solid unit in 2019, but they certainly missed Hicks’ present in the middle of that defensive line.

The last fully healthy season we saw from Akiem Hicks was the best of his career, and he reached a truly elite level of play. However, like Smith and Kendricks, it was a huge outlier compared to his previous career baseline. Hicks was a player who graded consistently in the mid-70s in terms of overall PFF grade and suddenly jumped up to 91.7 in 2018. And while last season was cut short due to injury, he was on track to return to those mid-70 grades before it was. Hicks is capable of the kind of play that would land him on the list, but his most likely level puts him in the close-but-not-there category of players.

There’s no denying that Jackson had the worst of his three-year career in 2019, and even his worst was solid. The addition of free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix forced Jackson to strong safety, where he wasn’t able to make the kind of game-changing plays and takeaways that he’d managed in his first two seasons.

Much like Byard, Eddie Jackson missed the list because of his 2019 performance (his 66.8 overall grade was above average but still not great). Unlike Byard, however, Jackson had just one year of outstanding play before that drop — which now represents only a third of his career output — with the other two years ranking as above-average to good. Jackson strung together a run of phenomenal play in 2018 and won PFF’s award for the best coverage player at any position, but if you were banking on which Eddie Jackson would show up in 2020, it’s tough to lay big money on that player versus the one that has been solid rather than spectacular. 

The Bears expect big things from Hicks and Jackson heading into 2020. Hicks is coming off an elbow injury, but his presence on Chicago’s defensive line will be invaluable. Jackson will return to free safety in 2020, where he’ll get an opportunity to make those game-changing plays that should be enough to crack PFF’s top 50 in 2021.

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