While it hasn’t always felt promising, the Chicago Bears are making some progress this season, at least compared to last year’s team that won just three games. But just because this year’s Bears team is improving, at 2-5, they’re still not ready for contention.
This places the Bears in a large pack of teams likely to sell ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. With young building blocks and recently acquired players like D.J. Moore likely off the table, other aging talents like All-Pro safety Eddie Jackson could pique the interest of contending teams.
According to The Athletic‘s Adam Jahns, Jackson is very likely up for grabs, but two key factors may prevent a deal.
Jackson has a cap hit of $17 million this season, and his cap charge actually increases to $18.1 million in 2024, the final year of his contract. That’s far too much for a player who’s missed eight games in the past two seasons, especially considering how one scout views Jackson.
“(Jackson) has been declining and is injury prone,” the scout said. “He’d probably need a former Bears coach to be interested. I honestly don’t see a team trading for Jackson at this juncture with his injury situation unless it was for peanuts and also a coach familiar with him.”
Anonymous scout on Eddie Jackson
That may be true, but if the Bears are willing to take whatever they can get for a player who may not fit their competitive timeline, Jackson could likely be had for a late-round selection or as the scout said, peanuts.
As far as which teams have coaches on the staff who have coached Jackson before? Both the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins qualify, and both defenses could use a boost as they race for a playoff spot.
Aside from Jackson, two other players believed to draw the most interest are wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who came up with two interceptions during Chicago’s Week 7 win.
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