After nearly a decade of mediocrity, the Chicago Bears returned to relevance in 2018 with a season that far exceeded outside expectations. The Bears went from worst-to-first en route to double-digit wins and a division title.
But perhaps more difficult than going from worst-to-first is maintaining that success the following season. For Bears All-Pro safety Eddie Jackson, his focus is to remain cognizant of the goal at hand, which is to win a Super Bowl, and avoid any potential setbacks along the way.
“Just not get complacent, keep our heads down and continue to do what we’ve been doing,” Jackson told me earlier this week. “Keep working, keep competing and keep having fun with it. That’s our main goal, to come out and be better than we were last year. Coach Nagy always tells us you’re getting better or worse, and right now we’re focused on getting better.”
In 2018, the Bears posted a 12-4 record, an NFC North title and the team’s first playoff berth in eight years. So how can the Bears top that?
“It’s hard to beat 12 wins,” Jackson said. “So right now, we have 12 wins last year, so now we want 13 or more.”
That goal of 13 wins would be more than enough to garner the Bears a playoff spot. But the Bears are thinking even bigger than just playoffs. Jackson said they want that first-round bye and home field advantage as they focus on bringing a Super Bowl back to Chicago.
Those are certainly lofty goals, but not unattainable for a team that returns 10 starters on what was arguably the NFL’s best defense a season ago.
Sure, pundits will argue that the loss of Vic Fangio spells doom for the unit. But how quick they are to dismiss the talent at hand – including three All-Pros in Jackson, Khalil Mack and Kyle Fuller – as well as the success of Chuck Pagano, who comes to Chicago aware that he doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel.
The Bears have had an offseason to acclimate to Pagano’s defense, and Jackson said that they’re feeling comfortable in this new scheme heading into training camp.
“We know his track record,” Jackson said. “We know the players he’s coached, the type of defense he likes to run. Everyone’s on board for that. So we all bought into it, and we’re just ready to get to work.”
While Pagano is coming into a situation that most defensive coordinators would love, there’s also an added pressure that comes with maintaining the same defensive dominance from a season ago.
For Jackson, he looks at it as a pressure to exceed what they accomplished in 2018. Being one of the best defenses in the NFL isn’t enough.
“We want to be No. 1 across the board in every category,” Jackson said. “We want to be the No. 1 defense in the NFL. For us to accomplish that goal, we know what we have to do. We have to continue to come out and continue to work hard and continue to play with one another.”
‘I’m not even close to reaching my peak’
In just two seasons in the NFL, Jackson has established himself as one of the premier safeties in the game. He has eight interceptions and five defensive touchdowns, and he was named an All Pro in 2018. But while he acknowledges the success he’s had so far, he’s not content with settling for just that.
“Right now I know that I’m not even close to reaching my peak as a player,” he said. “But with the kind of teammates I have, the type of coaches I have, it’s also just going to be – not to sound selfish – for me to do better and make better plays and do bigger things.”
Jackson said that he’s been watching more film and working on becoming a student of the game, which he attributes to his success. He wants to focus on his tackling and becoming more explosive. But ultimately, he wants to leave behind a lasting legacy.
“Becoming one of the greatest players to ever play the game,” Jackson said. “That’s what I want to be remembered as when I’m done and I hang up my cleats. That’s the goal I’m working towards.”
Jackson credited his teammates, including Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, Kyle Fuller and Roquan Smith, for his success. When you have as much talent as the Bears possess on defense, everyone’s making everyone better.
One of the newest additions to the Bears defense this season is veteran safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who Jackson played a role in recruiting to Chicago. With the tandem of Jackson and Clinton-Dix, Jackson has a warning for opposing offenses this season.
“Just be careful, because we’re coming,” he said. “Be careful where you’re putting that ball – whether it’s my side or (Ha Ha)’s side – we’re going to make those plays.”
There’s a sense of unfinished business for the Bears heading into 2019. After falling one double-doink missed field goal short of continuing their playoff journey, there’s a desire to get back to work.
“It was getting very competitive in OTAs and we didn’t have pads,” Jackson said. “For Coach Nagy to have to come to us and tell everyone to step it back a notch, that’s one of the greatest feelings. Everyone’s ready to go, everyone’s ready to get after each other and get better. Because right now, the offense is making us better and we’re making them better. It’s like iron sharpening iron.”
Jackson is enjoying his final break before training camp, including spending a July afternoon educating kids about the importance of hydration in the hot summer months. It’s also something that will be integral when the Bears take the field in Bourbonnais later this month.
“Gatorade’s Beat the Heat program is about educating athletes of all sports how important it is to hydrate, especially during hot summers, how you lose more water when you sweat,” Jackson said. “So it’s very vital to replace those electrolytes you lost.
“When you’re in the hot weather, it’s hard on your body. Gatorade has taught me the proper hydration. How it can help you perform better.”
With the high expectations that surround the Bears heading into 2019, it’s all about doing the little things en route to greatness.
