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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