Eddie Jackson embracing his new role for Chicago Bears
Following the 2020 season, Eddie Jackson signed a $58.4 million contract extension with the Chicago Bears, and while the cost to keep Jackson went up, the performance seemingly did the opposite to start the season.
However, it looks like a fresh start could go a long way for him to rejuvenate his career in Chicago. Jackson also mentioned that he was affected by the departure of a few other veterans on the defensive side.
«When they really got rid of everybody, that was the big turning point,» Jackson said. «They got rid of everybody. (Khalil) Mack was my boy. Akiem (Hicks) and Danny (Trevathan), those were my guys. But now, it's like, you turn around and you look � oh, I'm one of those guys in the room now. These younger guys coming in, they're gonna look at you. (Safeties) coach (Andre Curtis), he told me: �Listen, baby, you ready to lead? Because we're ready to follow. You gotta lead from the front, doing all the right things even when no one's looking.'»
Jackson is trying to help his team in different ways as well.
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"I really eliminated the personal goals this year, it was just more overall helping the team, come in and be a better version of myself," Jackson said. "I know I'm a vet now, one of the oldest guys in the room, so a lot of the young guys look up to me. I have to lead from the front. That's how I prepare, how I work, how I'm in meetings, how I walk around the building, how I attack the weight room, all of that type of stuff. I feel like everything else will fall in line."
One of the biggest ways Jackson will be able to use his leadership will be to help rookie safety Jaquan Brisker's development. Eddie Jackson and Brisker have had multiple film sessions, and the newcomer has already impressed the veteran with his questions and ability to apply the answers on the field.
"I just try to give him tips like 'how to play this, how to play this, I was too high,' hearing him coach himself up and the little things," Jackson said. "It just shows you that he's going to have a lot of success in his career because he pays attention to the little things that most guys don't pay attention to."
Jackson admitted that there has been a huge increase in conditioning and accountability demanded by the new coaching staff. His trust in the coaches is already at an all-time high. He is clearly buying in.
"It starts with 'Flus.' Coach, he's never late to a meeting, he's probably 5-10 minutes early waiting on us to get in there, sitting in the back of the room," Jackson said. "Just that accountability part and holding everyone accountable, everyone equally accountable. No matter if you're Year 10, Year 2, Year 1. And just the conditioning part. You see us out there. We fly around for however long practice is. From start to finish, we always preach that we want the first period to look like the last period, and he holds us up to that standard. Like today, we had guys not finishing through the line on one of the drills. He sent us back three times. That right there shows it's the little things."
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