Chicago Bears Have Another Chance to Nab Huge Defensive Upgrade

The Chicago Bears 2016 free agent class was a good one. Highlighting it was, of course, Akiem Hicks who has become one of their best defenders. There was also linebacker Danny Trevathan in that group. Yet as good as it was, it's hard not to feel like it was almost perfect had they been able to snag one other big name on the market. Before the action began that year, it was generally accepted that defensive lineman Malik Jackson was one of the top prizes. He'd just had a breakout season in Denver, helping them win the Super Bowl. It was clear his career had started to trend up. The Bears seemed like such a logical spot. They ran a 3-4 defense like he'd played in with the Broncos and they also employed John Fox, the coach who originally drafted him. Sadly it never happened. Jackson instead took a blockbuster deal to join the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since then he has reached his first Pro Bowl in 2017 and helped his team get to the AFC championship. One would think he's not going anywhere, right? Well not entirely according to one insider.

Chicago Bears could get Jackson in a favorable trade

John Middlekauff of The Athletic covers the 49ers and has perused possible upgrades for their defense. It was then he came across some fascinating information regarding the status of Jackson and his contract.

"I'm told defensive lineman Malik Jackson can be had in a trade this offseason. It's not because Jacksonville doesn't think he can play — he's a stud — but because the Jaguars can't afford him. Jackson is scheduled to make $13.5 million in 2018, and has an out with only a $4 million dead-cap hit in 2019. 49ers executive Adam Peters has a long history with Jackson from their Denver days. Jackson would clearly help the 49ers' pass rush, and they could easily afford the contract. Would they be willing to give up a fourth-round pick, let's say for argument's sake, for a guy they might only have for one season?"

[video width="640" height="360" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/MicDD-Up-Malik-Jackson-Jaguars-vs-Seahawks-Gaame.mp4"][/video] Jackson turned 28-years old in January. His production continues to steadily ascend with eight sacks this past season. A career high. He's under contract until 2021, so any trade for him would have him under control for possibly four seasons. So why would Jacksonville consider cutting him? Namely their current list of pending free agents. Several prominent players are due new deals over the next two off-seasons. Among them are Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, Blake Bortles, Dante Fowler Jr. and A.J. Cann. Right now they're projected to have just $16 million in cap space for this year. If they were to trade Jackson, they'd gain $9.5 million and a draft pick. For the Bears, he'd carry a hefty $15 million cap hit. At the same time, the idea of pairing him with Hicks and Eddie Goldman up front has to sound appetizing in every way.