Chicago is a city that is proud to be back atop the football landscape.
It has been a struggle since 2010, but fans of the Bears’ franchise remained loyal and Sunday’s win over Green Bay – Chicago’s hated rival in the NFC North – earned the team its first division crown in eight years.
Head coach Matt Nagy hangs his hat on everyone defensively for the success this season; however, one player in particular is starting become one of the more elite talents in National Football League in terms of ball-hawking defensive backs.
Every supporter of the University of Alabama knows that if Eddie Jackson would have stayed healthy during his senior season in 2016, the Crimson Tide would be in the midst of a potential four-peat as national champions of college football. He was a leader both on the field and in the community and had a natural feel for tracking the ball.
After collecting nine interceptions in four years at Tuscaloosa, Jackson entered the 2017 NFL Draft and was selected in the fourth round.
RELATED: Former Tide safety Eddie Jackson having an NFL All-Pro type season
While a broken leg caused a lot of teams to pass on him, Chicago took the opportunity to draft him and it has paid dividends for its front office.
The 6-foot, 202-pound safety recorded six total tackles, two pass breakups and one interception off Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the Bears’ 24-17 victory. It was Jackson’s sixth pick of the season, which places him second on the team and tied for second in the NFL.
He has 51 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, 15 pass breakups and three touchdowns – including a pair of pick-sixes.
RODGERS IS PICKED!#GBvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/1XXeQ5gd1V
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 16, 2018
Behind the Florida native, the Bears are third in the league in total defense (310.9 ypg) and have rendered the lowest passer rating for quarterbacks at 73.
Along with both statistics, Jackson helps anchor a unit that has generated 26 interceptions while allowing 21 touchdown passes.
With a record of 10-4, Chicago is expected to have quite a few players represent it in the 2019 NFL Pro Bowl.
Be on the lookout for Jackson’s name among the list of guys.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
