Eddie Jackson has played with the Chicago Bears since 2017. He’s the last surviving member of that elite defense in 2018. He saw this team rise and fall in such a short span of time. When thinking about why they weren’t able to achieve their full potential, it isn’t hard to see why. During his career, the Bears have had a productive offense one time. That was in 2018 itself, aided mainly by the 26 takeaways the defense provided. Jackson quickly learned never to take help from the offense for granted.
That is why the Bears’ recent stretch of losses is so infuriating for him. Justin Fields and the offense has scored at least 22 points in four of their last five games. Chicago is 1-3 in those games. The defense allowed 29, 42, 14, and 28 points in those contests. It isn’t hard to predict which of them they won. Jackson recognizes their massive blown opportunity over the past month and said as much after the loss to Miami, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
“Listen, it is a blessing,” said free safety Eddie Jackson, one of the most tenured players in the locker room in his sixth season. “It’s something that you can’t take for granted. I tell the young guys all the time, ‘(The offense is) doing everything we ask.’ It’s never been like this since I was here. We’ve just got to give them some help. We can’t continue to lose games.”
Eddie Jackson can’t solve the defense’s biggest problem.
There isn’t enough talent. GM Ryan Poles made that inevitable after trading Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith for three draft picks last week. It was a necessary move in the team’s long-term outlook, but it undoubtedly weakened the defense significantly. They haven’t been able to get consistent stops. Their pass rush is weak, and the secondary is hung out to dry as a result. Their run defense is still a problem too. Not enough bodies. It is that simple.
That puts pressure on Eddie Jackson to do more. Guys have to step up. The offense is doing its part, and they have the same excuse. Their talent level isn’t exactly high. Sure, Fields is playing like a star but everywhere else is mostly average. That hasn’t stopped them from making things happen. The defense must step up. While expectations are low, the season isn’t over yet.
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