The Baltimore Ravens added a veteran bounce-back candidate to their defense.
On Friday, the team signed safety Eddie Jackson to a one-year deal. He’ll change teams for the first time in his NFL career after spending seven seasons with the Chicago Bears.
Jackson made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2018 and 2019, also garnering an All-Pro nod with six interceptions, a fumble recovery, and three touchdowns in the earlier year. The former fourth-round selection has 15 picks and 10 forced fumbles in 100 games.
Pro Football Focus gave Jackson an elite 93.2 grade in 2018, a season in which he allowed a 54.9 passer rater as the primary defender in coverage. After going 30 games without a pick in 2020 and 2021, Jackson rebounded with four interceptions in 2022.
However, PFF gave Jackson a career-worst 58.6 grade last season. He allowed a 121.1 passer rating and 16.9 yards per reception in 12 games. Injuries have cost him 13 games over the last three seasons.
Chicago released Jackson in February to clear salary space. The 30-year-old had one year remaining on a $58 million extension that made him the league’s highest-paid safety in 2020.
Jackson now moves from a rebuilding Bears squad to a Ravens organization with championship aspirations. Led by star safety Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore allowed 5.9 yards per pass attempt and an NFL-low 16.5 points per game last season.
Jackson represents the latest veteran gamble for the Ravens, who added Jadeveon Clowney, Rock Ya-Sin, and Kyle Van Noy last year.
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