Now that the Tremendous Bowl is over, cap casualty season has begun. Which means “Ought to the Eagles signal [literally any player I’ve remotely heard of before]?!” has additionally kicked into gear.
Of observe, the Chicago Bears determined to shed some wage on Thursday by formally releasing veteran security Eddie Jackson and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair.
Jackson, who turned 30 in December, truly looks like a practical risk for the Birds. The 2017 fourth-round choose was drafted when new Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was nonetheless the Bears’ DC. They spent two seasons in Chicago collectively earlier than Fangio turned the Denver Broncos’ head coach. (Aspect observe: Jackson additionally overlapped with Eagles assistant particular groups coach Joe Pannunzio for 2 years at Alabama.)
Enjoying for Fangio, Jackson made one in every of two profession Professional Bowl appearances and earned his solely first-team All-Professional recognition. He had eight interceptions in two years with Fangio after which simply seven in his subsequent 5 seasons mixed.
So, can reuniting with Fangio assist Jackson thrive once more? Our associates over at Windy Metropolis Gridiron counsel that the veteran security nonetheless has some fuel left within the tank:
Jackson, a fourth-round choose in 2017, turned an prompt starter and electrical participant within the secondary for the Bears. He began precisely 100 video games for Chicago, notching 15 interceptions, 10 compelled fumbles and 6 touchdowns.
Jackson was a two-time Professional-Bowler and one-time first-team All-Professional. He was one of the vital apparent cap casualties, saving the workforce over $12 million whereas carrying a lifeless cap hit of simply $5.5 million, in line with Spotrac.
His play hasn’t fallen off fairly as a lot, though the ball manufacturing hasn’t been what it was earlier in his profession, however his tackling was by no means a powerful go well with and positively didn’t match the mildew that Matt Eberflus would need.
Poor tackling has certainly been a difficulty for Jackson, who is comparatively undersized for his place. He truly turned within the worst missed sort out share of his profession final 12 months, in line with Professional Soccer Reference.
But when Jackson wasn’t flawed in any respect, he wouldn’t be hitting the open market. The Eagles is likely to be keen to dwell together with his deficiencies in the event that they really feel like they could be a web optimistic underneath Fangio. There’s no denying Jackson has been a playmaker up to now.
The Eagles doubtlessly have a necessity at security with Kevin Byard extensively anticipated to be a wage cap casualty. Chopping him clears over $13 million in cap house with simply $1.386 million left in lifeless cash.
Signing Jackson would give the Eagles a sure-fire short-term starter subsequent to Reed Blankenship. The one different security the workforce has underneath contract for 2024 is Sydney Brown, who’s recovering from an ACL harm that may linger into subsequent season.
