3 Former Bears Still Unemployed as OTAs Arrive

2. Eddie Jackson, safety

One position group that has had a very hot and cold market during the 2024 NFL offseason has been the safety position. Former Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson was cut earlier this offseason to save cap space, and the Bears went out and signed Kevin Byard to take his place as the veteran of this Chicago secondary.

Jackson was a former fifth-round pick out of Alabama who had 10 interceptions in his first three NFL seasons and worked exceptionally well in Vic Fangio's defense. He wound up getting a big-money contract from the Bears after making it to the Pro Bowl in two of his first three NFL seasons while receiving All-Pro honors in 2019.

Jackson has played at a high level for a really long time at the NFL level but clearly the demand is just not there for him right now. He will be 31 at the end of the 2024 season and is still frankly competing with a rather loaded free agent market at the safety position.

Players like Justin Simmons are still out there for teams to sign, and Jackson might have to wait until there's an injury elsewhere in the league or if some team is really wanting to upgrade with a veteran presence over the course of the offseason.