Ryan Poles already began the process of moving every big contract off the books he could. Khalil Mack, Eddie Goldman, and Tarik Cohen were all gone in days. It is fair to wonder what the Chicago Bears GM might’ve done with Eddie Jackson under different circumstances. The former All-Pro safety hasn’t had an interception since 2019. He hasn’t played anywhere close to the value of his massive contract. A cap penalty prevented them from cutting him this year, but that will change in 2023.
With Jackson turning 30 this season, it is a fair assumption Poles might seek to move on from him next offseason. That means it would be in the Bears’ best interests if they sought out a potential replacement now. Somebody they can develop for a year and have ready to step up when the time comes. It seems they are indeed considering that, given the recent update from draft insider Josh Norris about the Bears meeting with Illinois safety Kerby Joseph.
It won’t take long to understand their interest.
Illinois S Kerby Joseph is having a local visit with the #Bears today pic.twitter.com/myHlwPOvNL
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 6, 2022
Illinois S Kerby Joseph checked in with 33 1/4" arm
Plays like this are why teams love that length at safety pic.twitter.com/fMs1EuBF5G
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) February 2, 2022
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#Illinois safety Kerby Joseph
6-foot-1, 203
38.5 vert
Easy range in the post. Smooth transition/break to get a jump on the throw. Long frame to impact the catch point. Ball skills (5 INTs in ‘21). Play speed/production on ST.
Single-high fit (Cover 1/3). @NFLMatchup pic.twitter.com/xA4ctj0x2m
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 10, 2022
I don't know how I missed this play from earlier in the season, but Illinois safety Kerby Joseph may have made the interception of the year against Virginia.#DraftTwitter will come to love @JKERB25 as much as teams already do. Many view him as a top 100 player. pic.twitter.com/cy8EBBXiVT
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) December 16, 2021
Joseph had an interesting college career. He spent his first two seasons at cornerback for the program before switching to wide receiver in 2020. Then last year, coaches switched him back to defense, this time at safety. He followed with the best season of his life, collecting five interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Considering how much emphasis head coach Matt Eberflus and his new staff put on takeaways, the interest makes even more sense.
While not an elite athlete, Joseph is good enough. He has a 6’0 frame with decent speed and long 33-inch arms. This makes it so difficult to throw the ball in his direction. Not only does he have great instincts for finding it, but he has the radius to get his hands on it. The fact he did that with no prior experience at the position suggests he could get a lot better with more development. Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams is a specialist with safeties.
Bob Sanders, Harrison Smith, and Glover Quin are three names he helped turn into stars. Joseph would be in good hands with him. Expectations are he’ll go somewhere in the middle rounds. The Bears would get themselves an intriguing talent if the landed him.
