A bold statement, but Eddie Jackson may be the biggest bust in Bears history. In 2016 Jackson was a senior at Alabama and projected to be one of the top safeties in that years draft, until he broke his leg against Texas A&M. That put a major red flag on Jackson who may have been a first round pick. Instead he fell to the 4th round where the Bears took him with the 112th overall pick.
Bears strike gold with Jackson
Jackson made a huge impact immediately. The Bears had one of the top pass rushing defenses in the league with Kahlil Mack leading the way, allowing Jackson to jump routes and be a big time playmaker. In his rookie campaign Jackson had just 2 interceptions, but also had 2 touchdowns and was all over the field. His second season he skyrocketed and was the best safety in the league.
With 6 interceptions and 3 touchdowns he was voted to the pro bowl and the all-pro team. He would go on to the pro bowl his 3rd season as well and seemed to be the crown jewel of Ryan Pace’s tenor.
The curse of the contract
No one complained when Pace signed him to a 4 year 58 million Dollar contract, which is huge money for a safety. Jackson had earned it however and showed no signs of regression. As the bears pass rush started to diminish Jackson followed suit big time. Becoming one of the worst safeties in the league, even after the bears paired him with Alabama teammate, safty Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The Bears wouldn’t bring Clinton-Dix back, associating his style of play with Jackson’s decline. However, that wasn’t the issue and things got worse.
Sorry Mr. Jackson I am for real
I don’t see him returning to form. Sorry Mr. Jackson, I am for real. Now one of the highest paid safeties in the league and statistically one of the worst, it officially makes Jackson a bust after what appeared to be a Hall of Fame career.
With the amount of money and time left on Jackson’s contract, combined with how quick his play has declined, he’s high on the Bears bust list. Being only 28 Jackson can still turn it around. That’s why I think the Bears should trade him while there may still be some value.
4 Comments
A 4th round pick who makes All-Pro and two Pro Bowls is far from a bust. Who was the Bears’ first round pick in 2016?
I agree until you pay all that money and he becomes one of the worst in the league.
I’d say Leonard Floyd was a bigger bust given expectations. He’s thriving with the Rams, though, which makes me think it was a coaching issue with the Bears.
I 100 percent agree on Floyd’s struggles being the Bear’s fault