ESPN Delivers Scathing Critique of Eddie Jackson
Dive into the world of sports where ESPN never fails to ruffle a few feathers, particularly when it comes to the Chicago Bears. The sports network has a history of being less than flattering towards the organization, often sidestepping their premier players when it comes to rankings. The latest on this carousel of critique involves a piece by ESPN's Matt Miller and Jordan Reid, dissecting the best NFL draft steals over the past ten years. Their lineup included fifty players, but somehow, Bears' own Eddie Jackson didn't make the cut.
A quick recap for those new to the game - Jackson, also known as 'Bojack', was a 4th round pick by the Bears in the 2017 draft, which falls comfortably within the time frame considered for this list. He's a two-time Pro Bowler, earned All-Pro status in 2018, and impressed in 2022 with four interceptions in a dozen games. Yet, ESPN left him off the list and didn't even acknowledge him with an honorable mention. In the meantime, the safeties who made the list include:
- Tyrann Mathieu (3rd round)
- Kevin Byard (2nd round)
- Justin Simmons (3rd round)
- Quandre Diggs (6th round)
- Budda Baker (2nd round)
Frankly, including two 2nd round picks on a list of draft "steals" feels a little off. Both Byard and Baker were expected to do well. Their success isn't exactly a surprise. In contrast, Jackson, who entered the NFL recovering from a broken leg, was hardly predicted to be a star. It seems like a classic case of recency bias on ESPN's part.
The 2020 and 2021 seasons, where Jackson didn't manage a single interception, might be weighing him down in the eyes of ESPN. However, his solid performance last year proves he's still the interception king he's always been. It's possible that he just needed the right defensive framework to bring out his best. Perhaps, the overall lackluster performance of the Bears' defense last season also played a role in overshadowing his contributions.
Regardless, one thing is crystal clear - Jackson already has a hefty chip on his shoulder for the upcoming season. He missed five games last season due to a foot injury, leading some to question if his peak has passed. This ESPN snub might just be the extra nudge he needs to power through training camp. Don't be surprised if he comes out swinging early this season, maybe even making a statement on opening night against the Green Bay Packers.
Previously on LetsBearDown
| POLL |
JUNE 28 | 51 ANSWERS ESPN Delivers Scathing Critique of Eddie Jackson Is Eddie Jackson a top 10 safety in the NFL? |
| YES | 30 | 58.8 % |
| No | 21 | 41.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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