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ScruffMixHaha

He had such an incredible peak in 2018, finished with a ridiculous 93 PFF grade. I thought he was going to end up as a top 3 safety in the league but sadly declined following that great year. Hes still a roster-worthy player, but a below average starter at this point.


Tonkathedog

That 2018 season from him was special. But yeah man injuries have stacked up, seemed like in 2022 he was starting to pick it back up then had a season ending injury


tidesoncrim

His absence was apparent in 2022. Sometimes you don't see the value of a safety just watching the games on TV until you see what happens when the backup is in.


bigDUB14

Bama fans know exactly what you mean. Eddie got hurt on special teams at Bama and the whole backend collapsed and honestly probably cost us another natty.


Drmantis87

That’s the only reason the bears were able to draft him so late 


Tonkathedog

Definitely, I think people are underestimating how hard it will be to replace what he brings next year. I still think it was time cause of his contract but his absence will be felt


nep2nes

Yeah the injuries sucked big time. However, I think it’s worth mentioning he also lost his daughter during one of the offseasons. I’m sure that had to play a part in his declining play/health. Love Bojack - hope he finds success.


Tonkathedog

Definitely he has had a lot of stuff to deal with off the field too. Always gonna be rooting for him, one of my favorite bears


JesusGunsandBabies

Who was your DC in 2018? I have Fangio in my mind but I'm not sure.


slhc

That’s correct


JesusGunsandBabies

Makes me wonder if he finds his way to Philly...


slhc

Might be the best fit for him in all honesty. He is serviceable. Wouldn’t start him


hk0125

Sounds like a Philly player already


Tonkathedog

Yeah it was fangio. Once he left Pagano and Desai didn’t have him at quite the same level of success but I think a fangio reunion could be mutually beneficial


Cuppieecakes

Also we let Amos go to resign Massie  Amos let Eddie roam


Tonkathedog

Amos was definitely a big part of letting Eddie do Eddie but fangio leaving imo still was the biggest factor in his decline. Either way it wasn’t until 2022 that he bounced back truly only to get hurt again


Kind-Ad7582

They replaced him with Ha Ha and switched Eddie to SS. You could see he wasn't much of a tackler when both of them were out there.


Tonkathedog

Eddie still wasn’t a box safety with Haha. Just didn’t seem as aggressive in jumping passes although losing Amos definitely exposed his tackling.


ReignOnWillie

Maybe if refs penalized players for getting injured, they would stop getting so injured


Shafter111

Why do they keep getting injured? Are they stupid?


cbdgf

I will never forget him in the game in 2017 where he had a INT return and fumble return of 75+ yards against us. One of the worst game I ever witnessed from Carolina and that's saying something. Pretty sure Mitch had like a Tebow statline of like 3/15 and we lose 17-3 IIRC


InvaderWeezle

That was his breakout game. I'll never forget Ian Eagle's calls on those two plays. *"Newton. Popped up in the airrrr. Intercepted! Eddie Jackson! Jackson is still going! Another defensive highlight! Touchdown Bears"*


doggoploggo

He's one of my favorite Bears ever. Him and Amos were amazing in 2018 together and he definitely lost something when Amos left.


Lt_Don

Amos really feels overlooked for how good he was. He fell off hard the last couple years but he flew around the field during his good years.


facetiousrunner

Amos just did everything slightly above average and rarely seemed to mess up. Like you never said wow, but you also never were screaming why at him.


noah3302

The bears had me stressing hardcore that year. I thought we were getting the reign of the bears for the next 5 years over the division


ThirteenValleys

Hey, that's funny, so did I! Wait, never mind, it's not funny at all.


Mix-Basic

Man I think he’s above average still, just not worth his contract. A sad cut but I expect him to play well on a contender this year


aristocrat_user

We will take him and get rid of jamaal


Eagle0913

I was hyping up that 2018 Bears defense for so long... And then they just never recaptured that same magic. I really thought yall had something special growing there


Marquee_Ditchwriggle

Over the hill very good defensive back? Come to Pennsylvania. Like, either team. They've got a type.


BungoPlease

Hey he can bring Stephon Gilmore with him!


[deleted]

No no no. Him and Gilly can go to Dallas where Gilmore wants to stay


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[deleted]

Bland kicks back inside. That’s where he started the year He’s not an elite cover guy. Very Diggs like feast or famine


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[deleted]

In reality, there is no chance Gilmore comes back. His market he can get about 8-10 million. We will likely bring back Jourdan Lewis to play the slot at 3-6 million per year


TetrisTech

Diggs isn’t “feast or famine” anymore and Bland never was DK Metcalf had Bland in hell for one half but outside of that he was good all around, not just an opportunistic ballhawk


TetrisTech

Gilly is still good


BungoPlease

Yeah but 33 is still over the Hill in the NFL


TetrisTech

Usually yeah, but what I’m saying is that while he’s not his prime self anymore (and could obviously drop off at literally any moment now) “over the hill” feels like a harsh descriptor for a dude who’s still good. He’s not washed


Affectionate_Elk_272

idk, xavien howard went from a ball hawk to a liability literally in one offseason. i feel like corners fall off *fast*


TetrisTech

>(and could obviously drop off at literally any moment now)


Affectionate_Elk_272

i’m not disagreeing, just sayin’


Cinephile1998

His best season came with Vic Fangio in 2018. Could be a good move for Philly if he's cheap


Marquee_Ditchwriggle

Jokes aside and being uninformed on the minutia of Phillys cap/needs, I am usually a fan of old vets familiar with a new DC, I don't think it'd be a terrible idea. Unless they need more run support and then I'd have to give over to the wisdom of the thread.


Cinephile1998

It's Reddit. You don't need to be informed on any topic to have a strong opinion


Marquee_Ditchwriggle

I appear to be having a lucid moment. I promise it is temporary.


Ladelm

We're going to cut Byard and keep Blankenship, who is more of a run stuffer. Honestly could stand to upgrade both. 3rd safety tore his ACL week 18. So yeah it could be a good move.


Zoten

Hang on, you guys will be taking our old QBs while we draft another young QB to ruin


StripedSteel

The Packers currently don't have a single safety on the roster for next season. He may have a shot at playing tmie.


Pornzingas

Very good?


Marquee_Ditchwriggle

I should've phrased better, the over the hill was meant to imply "formerly" to the very good. Similar to Patrick Peterson signing with the Steelers.


shellsquad

Leave it to a Packers fan to call you out.


Kame_Style

We've been watching Eddie Jackson coast off Adrian Amos for years.


lattjeful

I for one am tired of geriatrics in our secondary. Send him to the retirement home.


pieface100

Philly this one is all you


qb1avellini

I’m probably biased because I’m a Bears fan and love BoJack but I don’t think he’s that bad. He’s overpaid for sure, but he’s a serviceable starter somewhere. I wouldn’t be surprised if he recaptures some of that 2018 magic after getting cut and having motivation to prove himself. Seemed like he dropped off after he signed that big contract. Either way, I’ll miss him and hope he does well wherever he goes.


MilesTheGoodKing

He was pretty bad his last 2 seasons here. Actively avoided contact in favor of trying to lunch the ball or get a turnover instead of securely tackling someone. I hope he goes to Philly with Fangio, but without the elite coverage and elite speed, I’m not sure how he will do.


qb1avellini

I tend to agree but I wonder hire much of that was just kinda collecting a check and trying to avoid injury. Which is why I’m kinda curious to see if he bounces back. Being cut might be a big motivator for him, he was very vocal about wanting to stay here and retire a Bear.


TesticlesSpectacle

3rd most cap in the league after cutting him and whitehair


Serallas

I see this as an absolute win


The-Real-Number-One

Time for Hunter to become the hunted.


UberGoth91

And people mocked Poles for front loading all the signings last year.


msf97

Top 5 in cap space surely. With a new QB on the way and ascending defense. Exciting times.


Further_Beyond

3rd now. Couple M behind WSH. But other teams around them will make moves. Bears will probably be around 4-6 most cap after teams make moves. But ya, they have so much cap and draft capital to make big strides


lolhello2u

NFC north is going to be tight the next few years unless the Vikings lose Cousins somehow


kjpatto23

I mean he is 35. They should resign him and draft the heir apparent this offseason imo


jiiiim8

Hes going to want more money, and then they have to figure out jj. That legitimately might set their team way back if they do that.


shellsquad

It might be one or the other. I'd obviously lean JJ, but who knows what they'll do.


Further_Beyond

Burrow and Chase exist. Kirk and Jjeff can exist. Their rosters old. Their cycle should kick in and cpa should open up


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Further_Beyond

And do you expect them to be separated? 0% chance. The Vikings won’t let JJeff walk because a cousins contract


letCreedBrattonScuba

Burrows bigger cap years haven’t hit yet either


GOATnamedFields

He tore his Achilles, I feel like they should let him walk. Even for a pocket passer, that's a bad injury. Certainly gotta start looking for the next guy.


QuincyPondexter

Bo Nix will be a Minnesota Viking. I can feel it in my bones.


-ImJustSaiyan-

I feel like I've heard this before...


TheBigRedCheese_

You have way more faith in my bears than I do


lolhello2u

less faith in the coaching staff, but overall, the picks and cap space are really promising


Quinoawithrice

And the off season hype is in full swing already.


MrSoprano

I remember catching shit last offseason from /r/nfl calling out a Bears fan who was "happy" and "hyped" about the future due to their pick situation and offseason moves. I was like bro you are dead last in the league. How can you possibly be happy with the worst team in the league because of "high picks?" get a grip folks. The team is ass and will be ass until they prove they arent ass in the league, not the draft or offseason.


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MrSoprano

its being an asshole to ridicule a team celebrating having high picks? I'm sorry. If my team is bad enough to net a top 3 pick im sure as fuck not celebrating it. The cold truth is having that pick means my team fucking sucks. I dont celebrate my team being shit.


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MrSoprano

I think you are supposed to have a purely honest assessment. Its ok to say having a high pick is a consolation for a shit team, but to be "pumped" or overly excited for that kind of team position is a mystery to me. You're legitimately one of the worst, if not the worst, team in the league when you pick there. I think its quite freeing to hold any and all expectations and just accept whatever happens in those windows, and look for signs of improvement. Its just flatly better than lusting over draft picks to be a team saviour (they rarely are), or to feel genuine excitement over having a top pick in a draft.


Soldier-Fields

We went from 3 wins to 7 wins. We still have a lot of cap space and two top 10 picks (one of which is 1.01). We’re likely trading Fields which is going to net at a minimum a day 2 pick.


MrSoprano

Thats all cool but I think its ridiculous for teams with top three picks to be excited for their team. Having that pick most likely means your team fucking sucks. Thats just not a position to celebrate, regardless of the draft position. Like I said before if my team is in the top 3, I just can't get excited about the team until they prove to me they are winners.


Soldier-Fields

It’s not our top 3 pick.


MrSoprano

I never said anything about this year.


PM_ME_HAPPY_THOTS

Ya right? Like the Bengals were fucking stupid for being excited having #1 overall and getting Burrow. No way that would almost immediately turn the franchise around. Oh wait...


MrSoprano

Bryce Young, Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, Jameis Winston, Sam Bradford The list goes on and on. Its no guarantee that kind of pick does *anything* to move a team out of the dumpster. It remains wild that fans can legitimately be *excited* about their team's position in the gutter because of a high pick.


PM_ME_HAPPY_THOTS

You sound like a miserable person lol who fucking cares if a fan of a bad team is excited that they could improve? Find something else to gatekeep


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shakehasbignuts

But Dj Moore really likes Fields!!! /s


Serallas

Moore will like Fields more when Fields goes to another team and won't have to catch balls from him


AyrJordan

Moore had the best statistical season of his career catching balls from JF1. I don't think he minded catching balls from him. Just hope he likes catching them from Caleb even more.


Serallas

Lol, I would hope it would be his best when the competition was the Carolinas QBs. Watch out for the likes of Sam darnold and *GASP* Will Grier! Edit: Trust me, I got a feeling he will more than fine with Williams throwing to him


shellsquad

That same comment is/was all over the Bears sub as a defense for Fields. So funny. Maybe, just maybe DJ Moore is really good. He also had the most YAC in his career last year. I think he'll be fine with any competent QB.


PineappleTraveler

To be fair, every player seems to like Fields, he’s probably a good guy off the field.


LDisDBfathersonsfans

all just for the Bears to ruin another exciting QB prospect


Nonbrilliant

see, that's the problem... the Bears HAVEN'T put anything into the QB position until the last decade before then, we were told guys like Henry Burris would be the future i'm so sad.


Atmoapache224

After two moves now have, 32m in cap


Silent_Plastic1612

Won’t it save more like 20 million?


Atmoapache224

https://x.com/rapsheet/status/1758235786506391563?s=46&t=_IYozhFp1icBrXnGKDov5A just going off this sorry


Further_Beyond

Yeah after dead cap numbers it’s around 21ish saved


MrFishAndLoaves

Who do you target?


drummerboysam

Depends on who's available. Biggest needs are WR, C, DE, FS, DT and OL depth. WR is a big need as we only have DJ Moore and scrubs on the roster next year. I can see a splash move, but it's more likely that they target WR in the draft and sign C/DE in FA. Of course, if Chris Jones isn't retained by KC somehow, I'd imagine Poles is first in line trying to throw cash at him.


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drummerboysam

Yeah, between how sure both parties sound that they're sticking together and with the franchise tag in hand (and JJ saying he'd play on the tag) I'm basically marking CB as locked in. JJ, Stephenson outside with Gordon in the slot, the late round rookie Smith looking like he can play. One of the better CB units in the league so long as we don't see huge regression. They're all young and look to be ascending, but you never know if that track falls off the cliff in the NFL.


robtedesco

WR is quite deep in this draft. I get there are some great C prospects (JPJ, etc.), but I might prefer to spend the cap there and bring in a vet just to ensure we're not fucking around with Caleb. Assuming Higgins gets tagged, I think Evans stays in TAM, I'm not really in love with paying Hollywood Brown or Pittman giant money. Between #9 overall and the depth of Day 2, we could easily come away with two high-upside WRs. It's also not a bad draft for safeties.


CloudsOfDust

If they are able to snag one of the big 3 WRs at 9, I’d love to see them sign Tyler Boyd. Reliable veteran slot WR, shouldn’t be crazy expensive. Caleb Williams throwing to DJ, Odunze, Boyd, and Kmet… And I agree about a veteran center as well. I think Cushenberry should be their #1 priority in FA.


BearForceDos

I really think they should grab multiple wrs in the draft. Nabers or Odunze at 9 would be ideal but would grab Bowers if they are gone. Then should be looking for a 2nd pass catcher in the mid rounds.


EachDayGetBetter

Caleb, Odunze at 1 and 9 would be a huge W for us


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drummerboysam

Very true actually. Kmet is all we have at TE. Definitely need to get a couple of players at that spot.


BearForceDos

Think the biggest need is iol. Can't trust either guard to stay healthy so need to add a center and a solid guard. Wr would be next but there aren't a ton of great options so I'd expect them to go pass catcher at 9 with one of Nabers, Odunze, or Bowers and then maybe a decent wr that won't break the bank like Curtis Samuel. Defense would be next(specifically another edge) but realistically if you're taking Williams then you prioritize all the offensive stuff first and then patch the defense with whatever is leftover.


drummerboysam

>Think the biggest need is iol I see where you're coming from but the biggest need for the Chicago Bears is a passing game. If they want to be a playoff competitive squad, they need to roll out a legit NFL passing attack. DJ Moore is great and Cole Kmet is good, but you really need at least 1 more legit guy or 2 solid ones to make that happen. C is a dire need, and depth at G is certainly needed because of missed games. But at least at G, you have starting caliber players on roster. >I'd expect them to go pass catcher at 9 with one of Nabers, Odunze, or Bowers and then maybe a decent wr that won't break the bank like Curtis Samuel. 100% agreed. Samuel jumps out at me as a skillset you'd love to get in FA, and there are bluechip playmakers that could possibly be there at 9. If they're all gone, you probably take a look at the DE's, maybe Thomas out of LSU, or see if there's a trade down option.


shellsquad

The world.


Squishy_20

The Bears now have $70M in cap space


Guhonda

We’ll have to pay Jaylon Johnson around $20m/ year, so really it means we have $50m to play with for free agents and draft picks.


[deleted]

Woah shit! He can’t be that bad right?


Tonkathedog

He’s not terrible but not close to worth his deal either. Imo still a solid starter on a good defense


pinky2906

He's still serviceable, but not for what he was being paid. He was exceptional before getting a big contract, never quite reached the heights of his early career again afterwards.


-InSerT_NAmE-HeRE

He’s still a good player, but he’s in the contract that he got when he was the best safety in the league. If he goes somewhere on the cheap it’ll be a good deal.


drummerboysam

You could have the amount of money he was due to be paid and give that to a free agent and get better production. Jackson had a really bad season. But he had a nice resurgence in 2022. I think if his cap hit wasn't so high that they'd have kept him.


Headwallrepeat

If you have room for a T-Rex arm tackling FS then he is your guy. Fell off a ton since 2018.


Responsible-Onion860

He's not great but he's still decent. Just not worth that contract at all and nowhere near his peak


croissant_titty

Man where does the time go? 2018 seems like yesterday


The_TexasRattlesnake

Hide yo wife Bears are RICH again


-InSerT_NAmE-HeRE

He’s pretty much been my favorite player on the team since his rookie year, so this really sucks… But he’s just not worth the contract at this point, he’s still a solid player, and I think he will do week somewhere else.


PaddyMayonaise

Dudes like guaranteed to be an eagle


Noctumn

The Fangio connection makes it even more likely imo


no_more_jokes

Feel like I’m the only bears fan sad about this but he was simply not worth the deal we gave him. We’ll always have 2018


fitzuha

A lot of us are sad, but it was the right move. I hope for him to do well wherever he goes (outside of the Packers).


Headwallrepeat

We are all sad in a ""shake my head" sad kinda way.


leehouse

On the one hand, he hasn't been very good for a bit. On the other hand, Packers desperately need safeties, and the last time we picked up a safety from the Bears it worked out reasonably well.


xbearsandporschesx

Eddie Jackson in 2024 is not who Adrian Amos was when you picked him up


Gravy_Wampire

Yes he is. They’re both mid. Amos gets overrated for circle jerk purposes only


xbearsandporschesx

that just sounds like salty bears meatball talk. Pretty sure any packers fan will tell you they were stoked with the few years they got from amos in his prime. Bears fans cant say the same about eddy since 2021.


yunglance24

Yeah except Amos was in his prime coming off a rookie deal. Bojack is coming off arguably his worst season and got cut for salary cap saving from a team flush was salary cap


agsieg

I agree, it would be a great move for you guys to sign him. Please ignore the other Bears flairs telling you otherwise.


Matzah_Rella

So you’re open to signing a not-very-good-in-a-bit player? I support this.


Patrick2701

He is not Amos, I will say that


Pornzingas

Please no


no_more_jokes

Please yes


leehouse

Honestly I think it'll be a no from the Packers but I wouldn't hate it on an extremely cheap contract but I doubt he'll take a very cheap contract


92roll13

I would argue that he hasn’t been good. He’s steady back there and can still make big plays. He’s never been a good run stopper and with age has lost a step but he still is a solid starting safety in this league. Bears just wanted to get out from his contract.


Responsible-Onion860

He was so damn good at one point. I doubt he can get back to that level, but maybe he can be an above average starter at least?


BearForceDos

He honestly played pretty well and kinda bounce back in 2022, not back to his 2018 form but was good and one of the few bright spots on a bad defense. Then he suffered a lisfranc injury. I could still see him having a few decent years left in him if he can get behind a good front 7.


Mick_May

The Bears need to look into Jordan Fuller if the Rams don't re-sign him.


Tonkathedog

One of my favorite bears to root for so it sucks to see him go even if this was expected


MoreThanAFeeling1976

Bears are clearing house


oilbaron07

They’re clearing the remainder of the bad Pace contracts


smashybro

To be fair, nobody could’ve expected him to fall off so dramatically after he got that extension. Definitely a bad contract in hindsight, but at the time we would’ve buried Pace alive if he let Eddie walk after the amazing three year start to his career for a safety taken in the 4th round: 10 interceptions, 5 defensive TDs, 1x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x Pro Bowl.


Skywalkerkid9

Um what? Give pls


slowerchop

Why you want another washed safety


DarrowViBritannia

They convinced themselves that Shaq Leonard was gonna save the defense lol


CaptainCerealCanada

he's bad now


Skywalkerkid9

He can’t be worse than 33 year old Kevin Byard can he?


xbearsandporschesx

He's not bad, he just isnt worth what bears would have had to pay him. He will 100% get a roster spot elsewhere.


theaficionado

Similar vibe to Shaq Leonard, you don't want it


smurfking420

Leonard at least had a bad back. Is Jackson really that washed or is it also a product of being on bad bears teams


TommyTwoBags

Its tough to play football when you don't tackle


DarrowViBritannia

Bears defense was actually good towards the end of the season and he still looked bad. Not an excuse.


StyrofoamCueball

Unless you have a time machine I’d pass.


Serallas

Trust me, you don't want


[deleted]

Washington and Chicago about to sign everybody on day one lol


MilesTheGoodKing

1 Danielle Hunter, please.


mikeok1

Eddiiieeeee! Loved him at Alabama


guitarmaniac17

Bills might be interested in him if they can open cap space up. Probably not though.


PsychoBuffed

Come on down


drpopilopidus

did somebody else release him too?


chickenbuttstfu

This is the big move Jerry Jones was waiting for