After tallying six interceptions in a breakout 2018 campaign, Bears safety Eddie Jackson had a letdown year in 2019 with just two picks, both coming in desperation time for the Lions and Vikings. When Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was added to the safety room, I don’t think anyone expected the drop-off in production from Jackson, who slid over to the strong safety position.
Rather than filling the box score with interceptions and pass deflections, Jackson was tallying tackles while primarily playing in the box for run support. And according to Pro Football Focus, the Alabama product recorded his highest percentage of snaps in the box, 29 percent to be exact. For comparison’s sake, Jackson logged just 17 percent in-the-box snaps in 2018, with 72 percent coming from the free safety position.
Below is one example of how Jackson lined up a considerable amount of time in 2019. He initially lines up top, but he and Clinton-Dix flip-flop coverage with the extra receiver lined up in the backfield on Jackson’s side. What I love most about this particular play is that Jackson still commands the positioning of where Clinton-Dix should be.
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But on the play, all he got credit for was a tackle. Obviously, playing in the box doesn’t allow for as many opportunities to make a play on the ball, as exhibited by 11 fewer targets last year compared to 2018.
“I just feel like whatever I need to do for the team to win, that’s the most important thing about it,” Jackson said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “Just do my part so the team can win. Other than that, it really don’t matter.”
But with Clinton-Dix having moved onto the Dallas Cowboys, Jackson can now transition back to his natural position at free safety, which should create more opportunities for him to make a play on the ball.
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