Chicago Bears veteran safety Eddie Jackson is the unquestioned leader of their defense. The rebuilding Bears are going through a transitional period under first-year general manager Ryan Poles and have waved goodbye to the likes of Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn in recent months. Jackson remains in Chicago and is helping the Bears begin their journey to reestablishing dominance.
Jackson joined Bears Talk for an exclusive interview while promoting his partnership with Campbell’s Chunky and the Chunky Sacks Hunger relief program. Jackson discussed Chicago’s current form, quarterback Justin Fields, his relationship with head coach Matt Eberflus, the play of rookie defensive backs Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker. Enjoy this one, Bears fans!
JM: You’ve teamed up with Campbell’s Chunky to host a food donation event at Greater Chicago Food Depository as part of the Chunky Sacks Hunger relief program. The program is designed to fight food inequality. Why is this cause so important to you and your family?
EJ: I love giving back to this community, especially to the less fortunate. The Chicago area has embraced me from day one. We’re providing people with hot meals. We can’t take this stuff for granted. This community means so much to me and I believe everybody deserves to come home to a hot meal. It’s a life necessity. We’re trying to add comfort to people’s lives. I don’t want anybody to miss a meal. It’s very important to me.
JM: It truly is a special program that’s helping so many families in need. You’ve been outstanding this season. You’ve recorded more than 80 tackles. You lead the team in interceptions (4) and you’ve recorded six pass breakups. Do you feel this coaching staff is putting you in positions to win?
EJ: They most definitely are. I feel like we have a coaching staff that’s challenging us in a bunch of different ways. I love that about this staff. They challenge us throughout practice. I’ve seen a positive change in our mindset. We’re approaching practice and games totally differently. It’s just different.
I feel like everyone has bought in. It starts with me. I’m going out there and playing some of the best football of my career. I don’t have anything to complain about. I’m doing whatever it takes to help the team. That’s our mindset. If we keep at it, we’re going to have a lot of success while taking this approach.
JM: The team has been competitive. You have four interceptions this season after failing to record one in 2020 or 2021. They always say interceptions come in bunches. What changed for you this season?
EJ: My mindset and approach to recording takeaways had to change. I wouldn’t be denied any longer (laughs). I was sick and tired of letting those plays slip through my grasp.
It goes back to what I said about the coaching staff. They’re putting me in positions to be successful. They’re letting me roam. I’m playing as a true free safety in the middle of the field. I’m able to read quarterbacks and go make plays on the ball. Jaquan [Brisker] and I compliment each other very well. That’s been a huge part of it.
Coach Eberflus is putting us in positions to make plays. We’re practicing how we play. Every practice is as serious as a game. We take every practice seriously. We don’t mess around. We’re not taking this thing lightly. This isn’t a mess-around period. We approach every day with a winning mindset.
JM: I’m going to ask about Jaquan Brisker in a second. What’s your favorite aspect of coach Matt Eberflus’ defense? You’re full of praise for coach Eberflus.
EJ: I just love his principles in general. He has us hustling out here. We play with a ton of intensity. We want to make plays and create turnovers. We haven’t scored any touchdowns on defense yet, but that’s another goal of ours (laughs). We’re playing smart. We’re a physical defense, but we play with control. We’re always going to hustle to the football.
It’s obvious when you watch us on film. Everybody is playing with a ton of energy. We notice a difference when we watch other teams. We hustle to the ball. That’s huge for us. It’s helping us stop the run. We’re making plays because of our energy. We’re creating turnovers because of it.
JM: The film has been exciting. You’re leading a defensive backs room that has a pair of impressive rookies in Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker. You mentioned Brisker earlier. Gordon had an interception on Sunday. What has impressed you about those guys?
EJ: Their work ethic has been especially impressive. They came in with their heads down. They show up ready to work every single day. They ask the right questions. I haven’t heard them complain about anything. Nothing is too big or too small for them.
Kyler Gordon is playing the nickel position. On the next snap, he might be playing the boundary. Jaquan Brisker is playing in the box. On the next snap, he’s playing the post. They’re running down on kickoffs and playing special teams. They never complain. Both of them are doing their job at a high level.
JM: Do you feel like you and Brisker have already formed an elite partnership at safety? What is it about you that compliments Brisker’s skill set, and vice versa? Watching the film, it seems like you two already have terrific chemistry.
EJ: Jaquan Brisker loves playing in the box. He’s one of those guys (laughs). He loves playing that box safety role. He loves playing near the line of scrimmage. I love being in the post. I love roaming. We’re both playing the roles we love to play. It allows us to form that relationship.
Even though we’re both versatile and can play either role, that’s what he likes to do and that’s what I like to do. We’re both comfortable playing within our roles. We’re playing with a lot of energy and momentum.
We have our swag up, we’re playing with a lot of swagger (laughs). Brisker has that top-end trash talk (laughs). He gets me fired up. We have a great relationship. It’s bigger than being teammates. I feel like I’m his big brother. He’s like a little brother to me. We built that relationship off the field so we could blossom on the field.
JM: That’s terrific. We’ve seen that. I want to put you in a scenario. Say it’s fourth-and-8 with the game on the line. Would you rather be manned up with the opponent’s best tight end, or playing deep while trying to make a play on something near the sticks?
EJ: Yeah, I’m definitely taking the deep option (laughs). I’ll take the option that allows me to read the quarterback and make a play on the ball on something near the sticks. I’ll say this though, Jaquan Brisker would take the tight end (laughs). He’s going to take the tight end every time.
JM: That’s what makes the two of you so special (laughs). On the other side of the ball, Justin Fields is playing incredible football right now. He’s proving he’s a franchise quarterback. How good does it feel to watch him prove his doubters wrong?
EJ: It feels great. Justin Fields is the type of quarterback that comes ready to work every single day. He ignores all of the outside noise. He doesn’t have time for the negativity. He knows what type of player he is. Our team knows what type of player and leader he is. We have all the confidence in the world in his abilities. We’re going to continue to lean on each other. We’re watching him grow right now.
We’ve enjoyed watching him have so much success as of late. It’s much deserved. I can say that much. The future is bright. I feel like he’s not comfortable with where he’s at though. He’s going to continue growing and taking steps forward. He always wants to get better. He’s always looking for ways to improve. That’s just the mindset he has. It’s going to take him a long way in this league, especially as a young quarterback.
JM: Absolutely. Justin Fields is playing a special brand of football right now. We’ve appreciated your time today, Eddie. Thanks for joining us on Bears Talk. In closing, does Eddie Jackson hope to play for the Chicago Bears in 2023?
EJ: Yes sir, I most definitely am (laughs). Most definitely. Eddie Jackson would love to play for the Chicago Bears in 2023.