The Chicago Bears could make these three surprise cuts in 2023
Chicago Bears Surprise Cut Candidate: Eddie Jackson, S
The final surprise cut possibility is Eddie Jackson. When you look at what he was able to bring to the table this season, it would be shocking to see him go in 2023. As I mentioned, the team needs bodies and when you have a safety performing the way Eddie Jackson was performing, it’s hard to cut him. Jackson had four interceptions on the year prior to his season-ending injury. That was the second-most of his career. In 2018, Jackson had six — two of those went for touchdowns. Jackson also has two forced fumbles this year. He clearly bought into the H.I.T.S. principle.
When you see your safety performing this way, I can’t understand why Matt Eberflus wouldn’t be pounding the table to keep Jackson. There are two main reasons he could be a cut candidate though. First and foremost is the fact he will be 30 in 2023 and coming off of a Lisfranc injury. The good news is that he shouldn’t need surgery and should fully recover. Any injury could come with complications though and Jackson is currently slotted to be the highest-paid player on the Chicago Bears roster in 2023.
Jackson is scheduled to earn over $17 million dollars in 2023. He is also on the books for another $18 million in 2024. My assumption here is that Jackson is safe for 2023 and more likely to be released in 2024. His dead cap hit next season is just over $9 million, but we have seen that Poles doesn’t concern himself with worrying about carrying a large dead cap. This season, the team is carrying $92 million in dead cap. As it stands, they will carry a $19.9 million dead cap next season. What’s a few more million next year when you look at their number this season?
Whether, if Ryan Poles looks elsewhere to fill the position or Eddie Jackson has complications with his foot injury that makes cutting him the only decision, seeing him cut would come as a shock for most. Is saving roughly $8 million (more if a post-June 1st cut) next year worth it when the player you are cutting is a captain and has proven himself in the new system? I think not, but only Ryan Poles’ and Matt Eberflus’ opinions matter. I’d imagine they trade him before cutting him though.