In Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chicago Bears needed to try something to help take away one of the best tight ends in the league in Darren Waller. Bears’ defensive coordinator, Sean Desai had a potential solution — line up safety Eddie Jackson in the nickelback position.
Desai had Eddie Jackson cover Waller strategically throughout the 20-9 victory, but the defense’s collective effort helped keep the tight end to just four receptions for 45 yards. That receiving total was Waller’s third-lowest of the season.
In Jackson’s Wednesday press conference, he pointed to that game as the starting point of when he really started being utilized in the slot, and he expressed his desire to play the position moving forward.
"That choice is on the DC and how everything is going, but I enjoy playing it,” Eddie Jackson said. “I like it. I embrace the role of playing it. Being able to switch it up. I would hope so.”"
Eddie Jackson also said after the Raiders game the defense “shied away” from playing him in the slot.
"Then I went back up to Sean (Desai) like, ‘What’s up, I like playing nickel,” Jackson said while smiling."
Eddie Jackson has seen a decent percentage of snaps at nickel for the Chicago Bears
Here is Jackson’s usage as the slot corner this season, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
(Not included in the chart is the Week 8 game against San Francisco when Jackson played just two snaps.)
Along with Jackson embracing the position, there are several other reasons why he would welcome the role.
"You get more in the game, you know what I mean?,” Jackson said. “You play closer to the line. It’s like you’re more involved. You get more targets, chances to make plays.”"
That’s the most important part — chances to make plays.