Eddie Jackson is our first cap casualty in our Chicago Bears 2024 cap series, a seasoned safety. In order to free up cap space, should the Bears part ways with him?
Illinois’s Lake Forest The Chicago Bears are starting to advance through the early stages of the 2024 offseason at Halas Hall, having retained head coach Matt Eberflus for a third season despite a dubious 7-10 record.
There will be roster decisions to be made, just like every offseason. Furthermore, general manager Ryan Poles has demonstrated a readiness to let go of players left over from the previous administration, if the last two offseasons are any guide.
Here comes veteran Eddie Jackson, one of the few players on the team who has not only experienced a successful season but also everything that a player of his quality doesn’t actually see in Chicago. Few veterans in the league become First-Team All-Pros and have the distinction of playing for three different head coaches and two general managers.
However, Jackson’s tenure with the Bears has been precisely that. Jackson, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, made a huge impression on the league by becoming one of the greatest players at his position in 2018 after having a breakthrough year.
In the past five seasons, Jackson has remained a leader in the locker room, coaching young players in a secondary that included Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, and Jaquan Brisker, three second-round selections.
With a projected 46.8 million in cap space going into the offseason, the Poles will probably try to shed some of their more experienced players in order to gain some more freedom. Jackson inked a five-year, $58.4 million contract in 2019 after finishing his third season, which will keep him in Chicago through the end of the 2024 campaign. Although he has a $17 million cap for the 2023 season, Over The Cap predicts that he will make $18.1 million in 2024.
Jackson has experienced seasons when he has numerous interceptions as well as years when his effect has been negligible during his stint in Chicago. Despite having a foot ailment that curtailed his 2022 season, Jackson still had four interceptions after having none in 2020 and 2021.
“I mean, Eddie’s kind of the mouthpiece over there,” Andre Curtis, the safeties coach, remarked. Because he’s seen so much, you can feel his presence in the communication element. Eddie anticipates things quickly; it’s not that the other guys are unaware of it. incredibly quick. He observes it. He communicates, “Alert on this motion,” seeing it before it occurs. Watch out for this. Many men are able to notice or learn such information, but are they able to process or share it with others? Eddie has a sense for it, which is what makes him so amazing down there.”
Eddie Jackson’s final judgment
With another round of talent acquisition about to commence, Poles has done a fantastic job of adding youthful talent to the squad over the last two offseasons. Jackson most likely won’t be with the Bears on opening day in 2024. Poles has given the team a strong cap situation since he is prepared to let go of elderly players.
The Bears will probably select their Jackson successor with several day three picks in the April NFL Draft because cutting Jackson free will save the team a lot of money.
Cutting Jackson before June 1st results in a $5.58 million dead cap hit but also frees up an extra $12.5 million in cap space. But by classifying him as a post-June 1st cut, the team only saves $3.9M in dead money and $14.1M in cap space.
The Bears will probably let go of Jackson this summer despite his excellent play since joining the team and growing fan favorite status. Price, injury history, and output are the other two factors.
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