Eddie Jackson remains a free agent following his first season away from the Chicago Bears, though he's still training in case another opportunity arises. However, if it were up to veteran safety, a particular team would've already given him a shot: the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jackson ostensibly wants to return to his NFC roots after his venture to the AFC didn't pan out. More specifically, he admittedly prefers to join the Eagles. If a recent interview with VideoGamer is any indication, the ex-Bears standout sees Philadelphia as an ideal landing spot, albeit not because of the destination.
While representing the City of Brotherly Love seemingly isn't atop Jackson's list of reasons to sign with the Eagles, a reunion with Vic Fangio is. The former is interested in playing for the mastermind who aided his ascent to All-Pro status with Chicago at age 25 and making it known.
Former Bears All-Pro Eddie Jackson is eyeing reunion with ex-Chicago DC Vic Fangio
When asked about Fangio's contributions to his immediate success with the Bears, Jackson spoke glowingly. The admiration and appreciation were abundantly clear, which is why Philadelphia stands out as an appealing spot.
"I was always tell people: Vic Fangio was the closest thing I've seen to [legendary Alabama head coach] Nick Saban as far as scouting a team," Jackson a Crimson Tide alum said. "There's a lot of respect, and a lot of thank yous to Vic for what I was able to do early in my career. A lot of that stuff was a testament to his scheme, and the way he put me in position to make plays. He trusted me a lot.
Moreover, Jackson revealed that he's reached out to Fangio about rejoining forces in Philly. The networking attempt was unsuccessful, but the defensive back isn't deterred by the rejection and believes the Eagles could eventually come around.
"I sent Vic a text, like,'Yo, Coach, I'm free. Come on, let's do it,'" Jackson stated. "'OK, I'll let [Eagles general manager Howie Roseman] know,'" he added that Fangio replied. "It didn’t work out, but who knows what the future holds?"
Currently in his third year with the Eagles and second campaign as their defensive coordinator (served as a consultant in 2022), Fangio's an NFL lifer. He's one of the most respected tacticians and minds in football with nearly four decades of experience in various roles in the league. So, it's understandable that Jackson wants to get back together with him, especially given the fruits of their labor.
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In two seasons under Fangio's tutelage from 2017 through 2018, Jackson was among the premier ball hawks in the business. The latter amassed 124 combined tackles, 21 pass deflections, eight interceptions, three forced fumbles (four recoveries) and a whopping five defensive touchdowns during that stretch.