Once upon a time, Eddie Jackson of the Bears was held in high regard as one of the NFL's top safeties. Before a season-ending foot injury, he had been showcasing flashes of his former prowess.
ESPN recently revealed their safety rankings for the 2023 season, an annual list compiled from the insights of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. However, the rankings bore a conspicuous absence.
Despite receiving votes, Jackson failed to secure a spot among the top ten or even an honorable mention. As per Dov Kleiman, Jackson actually got the second-highest votes among those missing out on the honorable mention.
Jackson made a noteworthy comeback in 2022, reminding fans of the dynamic player from his initial seasons. After a two-year stint without an interception, he emerged as the Bears' leader with four interceptions. Jackson also recorded 80 total tackles, including a tackle for loss, broke up six passes, and led the team in forced fumbles with two. Unfortunately, a Lisfranc injury prematurely concluded his season.
Should Jackson replicate his early 2022 performance this year, regaining his position as the secondary's playmaker, there's no reason he shouldn't be in the running for the next year's top safeties list.
