Eddie Jackson And The Unspoken Rule

Eddie Jackson's 2018 season was so dominant, it essentially created an unspoken rule for all NFL quarterbacks moving forward:

Stay as far away from number 39 as humanly possible.

Eddie Jackson's 2018 season compared to 2019

The one thing the NFL does consistently, is that it always adapts.

Whether this means an NFL defense catching up to a young quarterback or an offense simply learning who not to target on opposing defenses. Today we are focusing on the latter.

Below is a chart that compares Eddie Jackson in 2018 to 2019.

There is a lot of information that can be pulled from this chart, none being more evident than the fact that Jackson is being targeted at an alarmingly low rate. This shouldn't come as a surprise as Jackson is one of the best safeties in the entire NFL.

This is yet another prime example as to why you shouldn't judge players based on the average stat-sheet alone. This has always been true but especially in 2019, where you have brilliant offensive coordinators who are able to mold their game-plans around minimizing play-makers such as Eddie Jackson, who if given the chance can disrupt or take over a game at any given moment.

His play impacts the game in ways that are truly hard to measure. He not only elevates players around him but is also able to hide the flaws that might otherwise be seen with just another 'great' player.

Jackson made the leap from good to great in 2018. He then continued his ascension in 2019, making that rare jump from great to elite tier status.

It's hard to fathom but the third year pro is only 26 years old and was elected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl just two weeks ago.

As disappointing as the Bears season has ended up, Eddie Jackson has been one of the few consistent bright-spots.

The scary part, he is just getting started.