The Chicago Bears have had a few revelations this year when backups have played significant snaps in place of injured starters. Cornerback Nahshon Wright was never expected to take on as big a role as he has, and players like wide receiver Jahdae Walker have stepped up when they've needed to.
Another recent revelation for the Bears has been linebacker D'Marco Jackson. Signed in the 2025 offseason as nothing more than a depth piece at the linebacker position, Jackson has shown Chicago that he's more than capable of filling in when needed, and the Bears should take a look at re-signing him in 2026.
Bears Must Bring D'Marco Jackson Back After 2025 Breakout
Jackson's expanded role began in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when the Bears were missing their top three linebackers in Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Noah Sewell. Jackson played a significant role up through Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns. In that game, Jackson accumulated seven tackles, two passes defended, a sack, and an interception, earning him not only NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors but also the attention of both the coaching staff and front office.
Edmunds returned for Week 16's contest against the Green Bay Packers, which kept Jackson from playing significant snaps, but when Jackson saw the field on special teams, he made the most of his opportunity. On a Green Bay kick return, Jackson leaped on top of the Packers pile, and it helped ignite the crowd into a "Green Bay Sucks" chant (h/t @_MarcusD3_).
Jackson's raw passion alone is something that Bears fans love to see, so combine this with the game-changing plays he was making when he saw significant snaps, and you can see why he has played himself into a new contract with the Bears in 2026.
Another main reason why Jackson has been able to break out is his familiarity with Chicago's defensive system. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was head coach for the New Orleans Saints when Jackson spent time there, so Jackson understands his system well, making it easier for Allen to trust him in big moments this season.
The Bears' linebacker core is all signed through at least the 2026 season, but mutual interest should definitely still exist between Jackson and the Bears, especially with Allen at the helm of the defense. Jackson could potentially take a little less money with the Bears than he would somewhere else due to Allen knowing how to maximize Jackson's abilities.
Even if Jackson rarely sees the field in expanded periods of time, he's shown he can still have a large impact on special teams, and it's a sure bet that the Bears coaching staff and fans alike would love to have him back as a backup linebacker and energetic special teamer.