It's crazy how priorities can change so rapidly in the NFL. At the end of last January, the Chicago Bears seemed to have their 2020 objectives clearly in sight. Mitch Trubisky would likely need his 5th-year option picked up. Above all though, All-Pro safety Eddie Jackson would unquestionably need a contract extension. He'd established himself as the biggest playmaker in the defensive secondary. Nine games into 2019, that sense of urgency has faded somewhat.
While Jackson is still a solid player on defense, his playmaking instincts seem to have completely vanished. After posting six interceptions last season, he's yet to get one this year. The safety has made his frustrations over that quite clear but nobody knows for sure why. Some believe the arrival of defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano has a lot to do with it and how differently he's using Jackson. However, it's important to remember Pagano is the one who developed Ed Reed. So it can't be just that.
At the same time, while he's struggling to find his big plays a fellow teammate has been making plenty of them. Somebody who is the same age as Jackson and arguably becoming even more valuable by the week. His name is Allen Robinson.
Eddie Jackson has few arguments over Robinson
There is no getting around reality. Robinson has consistently been the Bears' best player this season. He's on pace for over 1,000 yards despite obvious problems with Trubisky. If that weren't enough, he is the same age as Jackson at 26-years old. Both are going into the final years of their respective deals. So there is a simple question. Does Jackson mean more to the Bears defense than Robinson does to the Bears offense at this point?
The answer is no.
The defense would probably still be credible at least without Jackson on the field at this point. If the Bears were to lose Robinson? Their already anemic offense would become almost completely useless. GM Ryan Pace may have had initial plans to lock up Jackson early in 2020. Those need to change. He must open discussions with Robinson's representatives as soon as possible to get an extension going. Even if it means making the guy one of the highest-paid receivers in the game. Likely somewhere in the $17-18 million range.
He has the leverage and he likely knows it too. Besides, it's not like they need to save up loads of money for Trubisky. So they can afford to look that way once they reshuffle the payroll. Jackson will deserve plenty of attention too, but he'll have to wait.
