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CB Donte Jackson of the Carolina Panthers.
Now this would be a curve ball.
The Chicago Bears have multiple needs to address this offseason, with center, wide receiver, and pass rusher at the top of the list. But one analyst believes the team should target a veteran cornerback via trade.
Bleacher Report’s Kris Knox named Donte Jackson as a top trade target to watch for the Bears in the coming months.
“Even if Chicago manages to re-sign standout corner Jaylon Johnson, it could use secondary help,” Knox wrote on January 29. “Carolina’s Donte Jackson is entering the final year of his contract, and the Panthers could be interested in recouping some of the draft capital they sent to the Bears to obtain Bryce Young.”
The Bears have 18 INTs as a team this year, their most since 2018.
• Jaylon Johnson: 4
• Tremaine Edmunds: 4
• Tyrique Stevenson: 2
• T.J. Edwards: 2
• Jaquan Brisker: 1
• Eddie Jackson: 1
• Jack Sanborn: 1
• Kyler Gordon: 1
• Quindell Johnson: 1
• Greg Stroman: 1
The short answer is probably not. Knox’s claim Chicago could use secondary help isn’t entirely accurate. The Bears already have a solid CBs room, led by Jaylon Johnson. The team will either re-sign Johnson to a big contract, or it will place the franchise tag on him.
“We’ll start talks again. I feel really good about that situation,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said about Johnson’s contract situation on January 10, adding: “Jaylon’s not going to go anywhere, and we’ll work through it to get something done.”
Aside from Johnson, the Bears have two young corners who showed loads of promise throughout the 2023 season. In his second season, Kyler Gordon became a genuine playmaker in the slot. Per Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks had an 86.3 passer rating against Gordon.
Second-round rookie Tyrique Stevenson also played well, tying for the team lead in interceptions with four. Stevenson was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his multi-interception, 4 PBU performance Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Stevenson became the first Bear to get a DPOW nod since safety Eddie Jackson did it Week 12 of the 2018 season. Behind those three, the Bears also have several promising young CBs who have yet to fully develop, including 2023 fifth-rounder Terell Smith and 2022 UDFA Josh Blackwell.
They could use an upgrade and some depth at the safety position, particularly if they part ways with Eddie Jackson.
What an INT for Donte Jackson!
📺: #CARvsATL on FOX📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/VndRdqVgIr
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2022
JACKSON TO BE REPLACED AS BEARS LOOK TO ADDRESS SAFETY NEEDS
In a surprising move, the Chicago Bears are set to part ways with veteran cornerback Jackson. The 28-year-old has been with the team for all six of his NFL seasons, but it seems his time in the Windy City is coming to an end.
Drafted in the second round out of LSU in 2018, Jackson has been a key player for the Panthers. He has started in an impressive 76 out of 80 games, showcasing his reliability and experience on the field. However, his versatility as a free safety may be his saving grace, as the Bears could potentially consider him as a replacement for Jackson.
Despite his contributions, Jackson’s performance in the 2023 season was not up to his usual standards. With zero interceptions and a decline in overall production, it appears the Bears are ready to move on from him. The decision to let go of Jackson comes with a hefty price, as the team will have to absorb a dead cap hit of over $9.7 million.
The Bears are now left with the task of addressing their needs at safety. It is expected that they will explore options in free agency and the upcoming draft to fill this crucial position. While it is possible they may also add another cornerback, the team’s strength in that area may deter them from investing too heavily in the position.
Looking ahead, the Bears have the potential to boast one of the best starting cornerback trios in the league. With the right additions and improvements, they could become a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season. Only time will tell if the Bears’ decision to part ways with Jackson will pay off and lead them to success on the field.
