(670 The Score) The Bears have locked in safety Eddie Jackson on a four-year contract extension worth up to $58.4 million and with $33 million guaranteed, the team officially announced Saturday.
Jackson will earn an average of $14.6 million annually, his SportsTrust agency revealed Friday in initially announcing the deal. That will make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL.
"It's a blessing," Jackson said Saturday by teleconference. "Still a lot of unfinished business out there. The most important thing is to bring that Super Bowl trophy back to Chicago."
Jackson, 26, recently earned Pro Bowl honors for a second consecutive season after posting 60 tackles and two interceptions in 2019. He earned All-Pro honors in 2018.
Jackson becomes the first member of the 2017 draft class to sign a second contract. Jackson's agency and the Bears began working on the deal at the end of the regular season, Jackson said.
"We're very excited to get this deal done with Eddie to keep him in a Bears uniform long-term," Bears general manager Ryan Pace said in a statement. "It's rare to find a player in this league with talent like Eddie's. He's a rangy ball hawk with exceptional IQ, a great teammate and a natural leader. He is the anchor to the back end of our defense and we are fortunate to have him."
The Bears selected Jackson in the fourth round after his senior season at Alabama ended early due to a broken leg. Since arriving in the NFL in 2017, Jackson has 10 interceptions, which ranks fifth among all NFL safeties in that span. His three pick-sixes are tops at his position.
By securing Jackson, the Bears have addressed a key priority for their offseason in its first week.
"I want to be a Bear for life," Jackson said. "I want to retire a Chicago Bear.
"It means a huge part. I just want to bring a Super Bowl back to Chicago."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
