5 Current starters who are unlikely to be in a Chicago Bears uniform in 2024

Chicago Bears Starter Unlikely to Return: Eddie Jackson, FS

Eddie Jackson made Chicago Bears fans very happy last season. He started off the year with multiple interceptions. He only played 12 games before going out with a foot injury, but he ended the year with four interceptions, six pass deflections, two forced fumbles and 80 combined tackles. Fans were very happy with his performance. The funny thing is, that despite the lack of interceptions in 2020 and 2021, Jackson was better than fans wanted to give him credit.

Now, he will be 30, turning 31, in 2024. He will still be under contract in 2024 and has a chance to remain based on how much salary cap the team has projected next year. However, he's coming back from a foot injury and is getting up there in age. Eddie Jackson has a cap hit in 2024 of $18.1 million. Should the team decide to move on from Jackson, he'd only have a dead cap hit of $5.5 million.

When I look at the roster and how this team is projecting, I envision that Eddie Jackson will be one of those older vets that moves onto another team rather than stick around. If he has a good enough start to the 2023 season, I'd even consider trading him before the deadline depending on how many games the Bears have won at that point. I can't imagine this team winning a Super Bowl this season, but landing more draft capital for a guy like Jackson who won't be here for a real Super Bowl run could be the best move for Ryan Poles regarding the flashy free safety.