Chicago Bears: 5 players who need to bounce back in 2021

Chicago Bears who need bounce back seasons in 2021: Eddie Jackson

Last season was a season of firsts for Bears safety Eddie Jackson, and not in a positive way. It was the first season of his career without an interception, and also the first season in three years he did not make the Pro Bowl.

Part of the issue could have been with how Chuck Pagano used Jackson, but he also seemed to take a step back in terms of effort and tackling. There were several occasions where Jackson missed a tackle he would have made two years ago, and looking back on the tape should embarrass the former All Pro safety.

Jackson is far, far better than what he showed in 2020. He’s an elite safety in this league, and new defensive coordinator Sean Desai will help him prove it once again. Desai was Vic Fangio’s right hand man and worked with the secondary before being promoted. So, he knows how to best place Jackson in position to succeed.

Having two years in a row where he was a Pro Bowler and also being voted an All Pro in 2018 should give Jackson plenty of motivation after seeing neither happen last year. He and this defense need to get it going once again, and Desai will be the man to kickstart the group.