Eddie Jackson wins starting job

The Bears rookie fourth round pick has paid off in a huge way so far

The Bears entered the 2017 NFL Draft knowing that they needed safety help. Many had speculated that they would be candidates to take Jamal Adams early in the first round. However, the team waited and may have still filled a hole at safety in the long run.

That would be former Alabama safety, Eddie Jackson. Jackson fell in the draft, mainly because he suffered a broken leg to end his senior season. However, he has recovered faster than expected, did not miss any time in training camp and was off to the races early competing for a starting job.

After a strong preseason that saw consistency and acumen, the team saw enough from Jackson. They did not even need to play him in the fourth preseason game before knowing that Jackson was the starter.

Adrian Amos will move from a two-year starter to a secondary player and Eddie Jackson will join Quintin Demps on what is a brand new safety tandem in Chicago. Between Demps and Jackson, Jackson should mainly be the one playing high, while Demps may wind up in the box a bit. Still, the Bears are looking to use a two-high safety look, and more than anything the team’s defense against the deep ball should be better. Both Harold Jones-Quartey and Amos’ biggest weakness was the deep passes. Both were much better in the box. Going to two players who are much better covering deep halves should change the perception of this defense greatly.

Next: When Does Trubisky start?

Be on the lookout for Jackson on Sunday. How smooth does he look, does he look nervous, and will Matt Ryan attack the rookie early into the game? These will be the things to watch.