Now That Eddie Jackson is Gone, Who's Next in Line for the Bears at Safety?

Eddie Jackson is out as the Bears safety, and I understand the move. He was one of the elite safeties in the game in 2018, but just never truly got back to that level. Sure, his last two years were good, but Matt Eberflus and the Bears will be looking for a more consistent performer. Still, it's nerve-racking not having that consistent guy at the safety position who you know will be starting no matter what. With that being said, what’s next at that position? In this article, I’m going to look at what the Bears top options might be at that empty safety position.

1. Look at free agents:

My personal opinion from the start is to look at the free agent market. There are two very solid options at safety that could easily slot into the hole the Bears have. My number 1 option would be Antoine Winfield Jr. He will cost a lot, and honestly is likely to be franchise tagged by the Bucs, but he has to get a look if he's available. If the Bears do what I think they will do at the QB position and draft Caleb Willaims, then they will have the ability to spend a lot of money on free agents if they want. Since 2020 (the year he was drafted), Antoine Winfield Jr. played 59 games, had 384 tackles, 7 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and 8 fumble recoveries. He is elite in coverage and his athleticism would pair well with the aggressive Jaquan Brisker.

My second option in free agency is Geno Stone. He’s had an up and down career in the NFL, but really came into his own on the Ravens this year with the opportunity he got. The Ravens’ defense was elite in the 2023 season, and Geno Stone was no different. He’s not as attractive of an option as Antoine Winfield Jr., but I would be totally satisfied with signing him. He would definitely be cheaper than Winfield Jr., allowing the Bears to focus on many other holes in the defense. If the Bears decide to stick with Fields at quarterback, they would probably look at someone like Stone who will cost a little less to free up contract space for Fields.

Those are my two options at safety from free agency that could come into the team and play consistent football. The only other option that would excite me would be Xavier McKinney, but if you can’t get either of the top two, then I would look tothe draft.

2. Draft a safety:

If you're Ryan Poles and you can’t sign one of those two or three safeties in free agency, then you have to look at the draft. I believe there are a few safeties with strong potential in the draft, but I want to first look at the Bears draft situation. I expect (not necessarily hope) the Bears to draft Caleb Williams at the top pick because of numerous sources. I will be doing analysis on safeties based on the assumption that Caleb Williams will be picked at number 1. With that said, we need to first look at who I think the Bears should take after Williams at 9. I would love for the Bears to pick one of Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze at 9, and I think it is fair to say one of those will be available. This draft contains some potentially elite wideouts, so I don’t think the Bears can pass on one of those, especially with Mooney likely gone.

Next, I’m going to play out this situation as if Poles has gotten a second-round pick for Justin Fields before the draft since I think they will draft Williams. For this situation, I am going to say Fields was traded to the Steelers because he has been linked heavily with them. The Steelers have pick 51 in the NFL Draft and that’s what I am going to say the Bears receive for Justin Fields. At that point, the Bears have several needs. In my opinion, if Jackson Powers-Johnson (center out of Oregon) is available, then you take him because of how much the Bears need a center. If he is not, then I say you go for the safety here and pick a center with your third-round pick.

One thing to note is that this is not an overly strong NFL Draft for safeties. There are many other positions that have much more value than the safety position. However, there are still safeties with value. Kamren Kinchens (Miami, FL), Javon Bullard (Georgia), and Tyler Nubin (Minnesota) are all projected to go in the second round. If Powers-Johnson is not available in round 2, then any of these guys would be solid picks.

If Powers-Johnson is available in round 2 and the Bears choose to select him, then there are a few later round safeties to pick. Calen Bullock (USC) could be a good choice to remain on the same team as Caleb Williams. Cole Bishop (Utah) is also an option in the third round.

The Bottom Line:

I would prefer the Bears to pursue someone in free agency to fill the role that Eddie Jackson has held down for the last several years. This draft does not have enough quality to trust any of the safeties coming into the league. Plus, there are plenty of other high quality positions in the draft that the Bears could choose from to improve. It is impossible to fill every position with elite players, but the safety position would hold a huge hole if not filled this year and would stick out like a sore thumb. This is Poles' and Eberflus’ “Prove It” year, so the pressure is certainly on.