(670 The Score) In the first week of their offseason, the Bears invested in Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson with a lucrative contract extension, making him the highest-paid player at his position annually.
Could they soon look to maximize that investment by adding a long-term complement alongside him?
After locking in Jackson through 2024, the Bears will have the option to secure the long-term future of the back end of their defense in the NFL Draft. They own two picks in the second round -- at No. 43 and No. 50 overall -- and if they use one on a safety, the goal would be to select a player whom they feel best creates a tandem with the free safety Jackson, whose responsibilities fluctuated in 2019.
Jackson, 26, had just two interceptions last season -- both coming on desperate late-game heaves -- after posting six picks in 2018. Jackson's drop in production came as the Bears assigned him more duties in the box. It was part of the ill-fitting tandem the team had with Jackson and fellow safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who left the Bears in free agency to sign with the Cowboys.
The Bears have signed three safeties this offseason to form an apparent competition next to Jackson. Deon Bush, a fourth-round pick of the Bears in 2016, was re-signed on a one-year deal. They also added veterans Kentrell Brice and Jordan Lucas.
Bush seems to have the edge on Brice and Lucas given his four years of experience with the Bears, including one under defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. The limited NFL offseason programs in which on-field activities aren't expected to take place amid the coronavirus pandemic would seem to further ingrain Bush on the inside track, but the Bears don't view him as the long-term answer at safety.
That's where the draft could provide an answer, as it gives the Bears an opportunity to help bolster Jackson's comfort for the next half-decade.
LSU's Grant Delpit and Minnesota's Antoine Winfield are safeties who will receive some first-round grades from scouts but could also fall to the Bears' draft slots in the second round. Southern Illinois' Jeremy Chinn is an intriguing option who should be available there for the Bears, as should Division-II Lenoir-Rhyne's Kyle Dugger.
If the Bears move to address other long-term needs -- such as tackle, cornerback or even quarterback -- or like someone else more in the second round, they could still take a swing at safety later in the draft. They selected Jackson in the fourth round of the 2017 draft and landed Adrian Amos in the fifth round two years before.
But just as Pace prioritized signing veteran pass rusher Robert Quinn in free agency recently to complement Khalil Mack, he could do the same with a draft pick suited for Jackson. Bolstering their investment in him would make good sense given his talent.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
