(670 The Score) Not only is veteran safety Eddie Jackson one of the longest-tenured players inside the Bears’ locker room, he’s also one of the most beloved figures.
A seven-year NFL veteran, Jackson has been a key leader for the Bears across their past two rebuilding seasons. He has worked alongside young teammates like safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, helping their development into potential staples of Chicago's defense. This past season, Jackson enjoyed the Bears’ emergence as a more competitive football team in their 7-10 campaign after they went 3-14 in 2022.
As the season progressed, the 30-year-old Jackson kept his mind on the Bears’ present rather than his own uncertain future, but he recognizes that this offseason may bring the end of his time in Chicago.
“Lord willing, I hope I’m here next year,” Jackson said. “But God always has a plan. So, I feel like I’ll always land on my feet. I hope it’s here. (But) I know how it works in the business. I wish I could be here my whole entire career. But we know how this thing works. So, you have to live in the moment.”
Jackon played in 12 games in the 2023 season, recording 37 combined tackles and an interception. He missed five games while dealing with a foot injury, which came after he recovered from a Lisfranc injury that he suffered late in the 2022 campaign.
As injuries have taken a toll on Jackson, that has underscored the potential for change. In his two years on the job, Bears general manager Ryan Poles has overhauled much of the team’s defense, particularly in the secondary. Poles has added Brisker, Stevenson and nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon through the NFL Draft to play alongside Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Jackson is the elder statesman of the Bears’ secondary. Poles can clear north of $14 million in salary cap space by releasing Jackson with a designation as a post-June 1 cut. But Chicago is also in a comfortable position with its salary cap, meaning a decision on Jackson's future isn't necessarily financially driven.
When asked, Poles was noncommittal about the possibility of Jackson returning to the Bears in 2024.
“I know it didn’t go the way Eddie wanted to, being dinged up a little bit there,” Poles said. “I thought where his impact is is with Brisker — the communication on the back end. When Eddie was in, you could tell Brisker felt really, really comfortable. That whole group, he really impacts the communication. You can really see that.”
As he mulls his options, Poles will have to decide whether Jackson can still play at a high level next season while also factoring in his importance to the young team.
After seven seasons with the Bears, Jackson has an appreciation for his place with the franchise.
“It means everything,” Jackson said. “Just coming here from Alabama and the tradition of it, the history is rich, man. Everything is just so family-oriented. When you walk through that lobby, you see all those Hall of Famers on the wall. Man, that’s the goal. Just to see the tradition the Bears have built – one of the first organizations – it just means a lot.
“It means everything. I love it. I enjoy it. And I don’t take it for granted.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.