5 moves Ryan Poles can make to turn around the Chicago Bears offseason

2. The Chicago Bears could trade safety Eddie Jackson

For two seasons now, safety Eddie Jackson has seen his play navigate on the downward trend. Many Bears fans have the same theory that, after Jackson signed his 4-year deal worth $58 million, his effort level spiraled. It was as if Jackson secured his money and immediately stopped trying.

At one point, Jackson was an All Pro safety who made game-changing plays, scoring touchdowns and taking the football away from the other team. He was, in a way, an offensive weapon on the defensive side of the football. He’d take the ball away and immediately look to score.

That guy, though, is long gone.

Now, the Bears still have Jackson under contract for another three years. They could release him in 2023 and save $7.5 million, but that would mean he’d be starting for the Bears at least through this coming season.

If Poles wanted to continue his trend of building towards the future, clearing cap space and adding assets, trading Jackson would be a monumental win.