For a short time, Bears All-Pro safety Eddie Jackson was one of the NFL’s best-kept secrets. Now, the third-year Bear is forcing teams to account for his playmaking ability, which has resulted in less production on the stat sheet.
Jackson is still searching for his first interception this season. Last year, by comparison, Jackson had six interceptions, including two at this point last season.
In three seasons, Jackson has eight interceptions, five fumble recoveries and three defensive touchdowns, including two last season. Teams are aware of what Jackson can do when given the opportunity to make a play on the ball, which has forced them to gameplan against him.
“A lot of times, quarterbacks see him in the middle, they’re probably not trying things they would try in other situations,” secondary coach Deshea Townsend said, via the Chicago Tribune. “That’s a credit to what his body of work has been so far.”
Jackson’s aware of how opposing teams are predicated towards stopping him, and he’s focused on playing within the defense and trying to make plays like he knows how.
“Just going out there and playing fast with good timing,” Jackson said. “Just trying to do what you can do if the ball isn’t coming your way, try to get it — rip the ball, strips, punch-outs.”
While Jackson insists that winning and the defense’s success as a whole is what’s most important, the competitor in Jackson certainly is itching for that first, of what he believes are several, interceptions this season.
“It’s still early in the season,” Jackson said. “I feel like they’re going to come.”
