LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Bears star pass rusher Khalil Mack recently approached safety Eddie Jackson with advice he learned from Hall of Fame cornerback Charles Woodson.
"He said the great ones always find ways to make plays," Jackson said, recalling Mack's words. "That just stuck with me. It changed the whole focus because he’s right, and he learned that from Charles Woodson. That’s just something that’s been sticking with me ever since. If you’re a great one, you’re going to find a way to make a play."
Following what Jackson called a "down" 2020 season, he's carrying that advice into what he hopes is a bounce-back year. In 2021, Jackson's focus is on finding the football more and improving as a tackler.
Buy everything you need for a great pregame tailgate party here
Jackson didn't have an interception in 2020. Granted, he had two pick-sixes taken off the board by penalties -- something he hasn't forgotten -- and the Bears could've done more to create opportunities for him in the secondary.
But Jackson believes in what Mack told him -- there are no excuses to be made. After hauling in 10 interceptions across his first three seasons, Jackson was frustrated by his lack of picks in 2020.
"I feel like there was some things I could’ve did better and capitalized better than just sitting up tripping over two touchdowns that got called back," Jackson said. "I’ve got to tackle better still, I’ve still got to break on the ball, break up passes and stuff like that. You can cry and say you wasn’t in the right position, but as a player it’s still for you to go out and make plays.
"I feel like I’ve got to go out there and have a lot to prove this year.”
All in for Quinn?
To call 2020 a disappointing season for Bears pass rusher Robert Quinn would be an understatement.
Signed to a five-year, $70-million deal last year, Quinn had just two sacks in 15 games. He ranked as the 67th-best edge defender on Pro Football Focus despite commanding one of Chicago's top salaries.
Quinn, 31, was hampered by a back ailment in this preseason -- which followed an injury-plagued 2020 camp as well -- but the Bears still believe he's poised for a strong season. Coach Matt Nagy likes how Quinn emerged from the preseason.
"His mindset is great," Nagy said. "Physically, he's in a really good spot. Schematically with (new defensive coordinator) Sean (Desai), he's in a great place. Now he's just got to go do it."
'The guy'
The Bears were curious to see how 39-year-old offensive tackle Jason Peters would handle a truncated preseason and what role he could play to open the regular season.
Peters has checked all the boxes for the Bears, who are moving forward with him as the starter at left tackle. After leaving open the possibility of a rotation with rookie Larry Borom, Nagy indicated Peters should receive the full workload against the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday night in the regular-season opener.
"I feel pretty good right now with him," Nagy said. "I think he's in a good place.
"We'll plan on going into it with him as the guy."
Cleared for takeoff
Though playing on the West Coast often presents a set of challenges, the Bears don't plan to alter course for their travel plans.
The Bears will conduct their usual game week business at Halas Hall -- with an off day Tuesday, full practices Wednesday and Thursday and then lighter walk-through work Friday -- and then travel to Los Angeles on Saturday.
That allows the Bears some time to kill Sunday before the 5:20 p.m. PT/7:20 p.m. CT kickoff from SoFi Stadium.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.