The Chicago Bears have more than enough salary cap space to make noise in free agency again in 2024, but there are always opportunities to clear more.
To that end, Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department on January 16 named safety Eddie Jackson Chicago’s most likely salary cap casualty in the coming offseason.
The Chicago Bears are entering a good cap situation, but with much of the offensive staff out and some shuffling to be expected — not to mention a big decision regarding quarterback Justin Fields — Chicago may look for more room.
That could lead to the release of longtime safety Eddie Jackson. While the 30-year-old brings a veteran presence to the back end of Chicago’s defense, he had an up-and-down 2023 campaign. In coverage, Jackson allowed an opposing passer rating of 120.6. Jackson is also entering the final year of his contract and is set to carry the third-highest cap hit on the roster.
Jackson has spent the entirety of his seven-year NFL career in Chicago and has started all 100 games in which he has appeared over that span. He also earned Pro Bowl honors in back-to-back seasons (2018, 2019) and was a first-team All-Pro in his second professional campaign (2018).
The service Jackson has provided to the Bears organization across his tenure, combined with the very real chance the organization cuts ties with him in the coming months, speaks to the cold nature of business that defines NFL offseasons.
That said, Chicago has to consider its future, and Jackson’s best days may be behind him. His healthiest days certainly are, when looking at his availability over the past few seasons.
Jackson missed five games in each of the previous two seasons and three contests the year before. He signed a four-year, $58.4 million deal in January 2020 and will carry a cap hit of $18.14 million if Chicago doesn’t cut or trade him this offseason.
The Bears can save nearly $12.6 million by cutting or trading Jackson ahead of June 1. If the team waits until after that date, or makes a move on Jackson with a post-June 1 designation, Chicago will save $14.15 million.
