Chicago Bears: 5 Players who need to step up in Week 5 vs Raiders

2. Eddie Jackson needs to get back to his All-Pro form

Safety Eddie Jackson burst onto the scene in 2017 and was one of the top safeties in the league. The last two, however, he’s hasn’t been that.

After recording 10 interceptions in his first three seasons, he didn’t have any in 2020. In fact, counting the games this season, he has just one interception in his last 25 games and none in his last 20.

Jackson needs to return to his old form. At free safety, he can roam around and make plays at the ball. He did a great job of being a ball hawk. Not only did he just get interceptions, but he also scored. He has six career touchdowns.

This season, he does have one forced fumble. He had a career-high three last season. Also, he defended five passes last season. He doesn’t have any this season.

That’s one of the biggest criticism of Jackson. He’s been struggling against the pass. He’s allowed some big plays. As a safety, he and Tashaun Gipson are usually the last lines of defense. If they cannot make stops, the opponent makes big plays. That’s what has been happening.

People have been screaming about Jackson’s tackling ability, or lack thereof. He’s never been considered a good tackler. He isn’t a physical hitter. However, it seems that his tackling has regressed.

If Jackson can just hang on and slow down a ball carrier and have his teammates swarm to the ball, that’s fine. What’s happening, though, is that he continues to whiff on his attempts. He drops his head and dives at the ball carrier. That is not something that will help him make tackles. He needs to get back to the basics — square up and wrap up.

As I mentioned, he doesn’t have to obliterate the opponent. What he has to do is help stop the ball carrier and prevent him from turning a three-yard gain into a 30-yard touchdown.