As fans, it is easier to keep eyes on the big picture. They understand what GM Ryan Poles is trying to do when he traded Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith over the past week. One was an aging player that had no spot on a rebuilding team. The other reached a contract impasse with the organization, wanting too much money while playing a non-premium position. Both moves were logical. Tell that to Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson.
These two guys are the last remnants of the old guard. They were around when the Bears were still fighting to make the playoffs and pursue a Super Bowl. It is hard to do that when trading away two of your best players. The two defensive backs had similar reactions when the news dropped that Smith had made his way out of town. Johnson described how stark it was no longer hearing the linebacker’s voice in the locker room.
“WTF. It was a lot. I had just left the building so for me, it was one of those things where it’s like ‘Man’ Then, you come back in the building and you see everybody kind of moving different. You don’t hear him in the locker room. You don’t hear him out at walk-throughs. You just kind of really get that feeling that, really, like, I don’t want to say he’s gone. But he’s moved on to a different team.”
Jackson’s response was even more emotional.
While he understands the NFL is a business, he’s forced to question whether Poles and this new regime are interested in trying to win.
“I couldn’t believe it. I was in disbelief. I was shocked. I was thinking the same as everybody. We were just shocked we got rid of Rob. When you get rid of Ro? The thoughts go through your head like, ‘What are we playing for?’ Is their vision still the same as the players? We’re trying to make it to a Super Bowl, get to the playoffs, things like that. Like I said, I’m not upstairs. I get it. I understand it. But it just hits different.”
Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson face uncertain futures.
The young cornerback is having another solid year, but his contract will come into focus next off-season. While most would assume he’s an easy choice to extend, that isn’t exactly true. Remember, Matt Eberflus places a great emphasis on turnovers in his defense. For all his coverage prowess, Johnson has one interception in his career. Jackson is a far better fit, but he turns 29 next month and remains one of the highest-paid safeties in the league. Poles has worked diligently to erase almost every sign of Ryan Pace from this roster. Pace drafted both.
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If they find themselves unable to deal with these losses and be the professionals they are, then that might signal to Poles that they aren’t mentally strong enough to be on this team. Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson can be building blocks for the next generation of Bears defense. It comes down to whether they’re willing to accept their newfound responsibilities as leaders.
OI feel that Poles is tanking it at the expense of the defensive players. It’s his decision but don’t expect a performance from the defense.
I would expect nothing less in first reaction. These guys are competitors, and if they have one common trait, it is that confidence (maybe even over-confidence) that the team is good enough to win on any Sunday. I’m not sure that they can ever accept they are in rebuild, because that sounds too much like we aren’t going to win much. Admitting Defeat!
I can understand how these players feel but they have to realize that the Bears are in a rebuilding mold and losing a few key players may be necessary to build a better team from the ground up.
Anybody else love a pouty millionaire? Boo f’ing hoo. Pace overpaid guys including EJ. Those days are over. Now you have to earn it. So, if you are pissed go punch somebody in the mouth on Sunday.
Superbowl? How about some better tackling and a couple interceptions first. Superbowl?