Eddie Jackson was content with being a good player as a rookie, which he was. However, something changed during the 2018 offseason. Clyde Emrich, one of the first-ever NFL strength coaches and Chicago Bears royalty, took him aside and made a profound statement. He basically said point-blank that Jackson was good enough to make the Hall of Fame. It was a matter if the young safety was willing to put in the work to get there.
Jackson took those words to heart. He drastically increased his workout regimen and ended up delivering the best season a Bears safety has had in decades. He finished with six interceptions and scored three defensive touchdowns. In just 14 games mind you, having missed the final two with an ankle injury. This is a clear statement of how gifted Jackson is. Chicago has no safeties in Canton. He has a chance to become the first.
To get there though, he knows certain criteria must be met. Hall of Fame voters don’t all watch the tape. They tend to cover two avenues when assessing candidates for entry: stats and rings. Were they productive during their career to a point far beyond most others, and did they win a championship? This would explain Jackson’s answer about his personal expectations for 2019.
“There’s a lot at stake for him entering 2019. He’s less than a year away from being eligible for his first extension, and the Bears have informed him they’re prepared to open talks regarding an extension next offseason. They do not say he needs to have a second consecutive All-Pro season, but Jackson has no plans to lower the bar. In fact, he wants to raise it. His goal: “Seven and four,” he says, a reference to seven interceptions and four defensive scores. Each would be one more than he had last season, so those are his minimums.
Oh, and a Super Bowl.”
Eddie Jackson could do something truly special in 2019
To understand what Jackson is shooting for, here’s a quick reminder. In all of NFL history, only five players have successfully scored four or more touchdowns on the defensive side of the ball. They are Janoris Jenkins, Eric Allen, Jim Kearney, Ken Houston, and Derrick Brooks. All five men were Pro Bowlers while Houston and Brooks are in the Hall of Fame. This is elite company Jackson would be joining were he to achieve this goal.
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That ring though will be his greatest goal, no doubt. As much as the numbers would press his case, being part of the team that brought the Bears their first Super Bowl championship since 1985? That would elevate his legacy to far greater heights. It won’t be easy. Nothing in the NFL ever is. Both he and the team need some good fortune to swing their way. Still, all signs point to Jackson having another outstanding year.
All his offensive teammates can say is the sooner he starts picking on opponents rather than them, the better.
