‘Unfinished business’
Safety Jackson reflects, looks ahead after signing 4-year, $58.4M extension
Eddie Jackson was asleep when the Bears drafted him in 2017. It was almost half past noon in his hometown of Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. The fourth round was underway, and Jackson was still on the board the final day. By then, the excitement and anticipation had waned. He figured he would wake up if a general manager blew up his phone.
Sure enough, when Ryan Pace called from Halas Hall, Jackson jumped up. The Bears had traded up five spots to pick him. A celebratory cookout with family and friends commenced.
In hindsight, it seems rather crazy that Jackson still was available for the Bears at No. 112.
Yes, Jackson’s final season at Alabama prematurely ended because of a broken left leg. But he was a team captain. At Alabama. He was known for his range, instincts, ball skills and return touchdowns. At Alabama.
In three season since, those traits have helped him earn two Pro Bowl selections and one first-team All-Pro nod. And, as of Saturday, they made him the highest-paid safety in the NFL.
Jackson signed his four-year extension worth $58.4 million, including $33 million guaranteed. The contract runs through 2024.
After putting pen to paper at Bears headquarters, Jackson reflected on his rise from that uncertain draft weekend to bona fide NFL star.
“It was one of those unreal moments, unsure moments that you didn’t know things were going to go, how your career was going to be, or whether you were even going to get an opportunity to be here,” Jackson said. “They came and traded up a few picks in the fourth round to get me. Right now, all those moments are just replaying in my head. I’m forever thankful.”
Pace was not made available for an interview but was quoted in the Bears’ announcement of Jackson’s extension.
“We’re very excited to get this deal done with Eddie to keep him in a Bears uniform long term,” Pace said. “It’s rare to find a player in this league with talent like Eddie’s. He’s a rangy ballhawk 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.”
Jackson, who turned 27 last month, indicated the Bears had their contract proposal ready at season’s end. That’s when his representatives at SportsTrust Advisors presented it to him.
It underscores the Bears’ determination to lock up Jackson before he entered the final season of his four-year rookie contract. Obviously, they weren’t deterred by the fact his interceptions total dropped from six in 2018 to two in 2019 — both occurred on last-minute, long, desperation throws by backup quarterbacks.
As the Bears and Jackson see it, he became a better-rounded safety in 2019, as new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano asked him to play closer to the line of scrimmage more often.
Jackson’s tackles increased from 51 to 60 and his tackles for losses jumped from two to five. (He played two more games this season than he did last.)
“I was playing in the back end, free safety, just roaming all the time,” Jackson said. “This year I got to get in the box. I really enjoy being in the box, making plays behind the line or on the line of scrimmage. It just overall made me more aggressive. You read run better, with your keys and details, so hats off to Coach Pagano for helping us become all-around players and playing out of our comfort zone.”
Pagano was just one recipient of all the thank-yous Jackson doled out Saturday. He started with Alabama coach Nick Saban for helping him overcome his numerous injuries in college.
“He taught us how to deal with adversity, overcoming those obstacles, things and different challenges in your life that you feel like want to set you back and stop you from getting to where you need to be,” Jackson said. “Just having that mindset installed has always worked.”
Among the others: Pace for drafting him and proposing the new contract; the McCaskeys for approving the deal; former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and defensive backs coach Ed Donatell for lifting him in his first two seasons; and Matt Nagy for creating a player-friendly atmosphere.
“There’s still a lot of unfinished business out there,” Jackson said. “The most important part is bringing that Super Bowl trophy back to Chicago. I’m not going to stop until I can’t go no more. That’s one thing they’ll get from me. They’re going to get my hardest until I can’t go no more.”