Two days before the start of training camp, the Ravens have agreed in principle to a one-year deal with two-time Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson, forming an elite safety trio in Baltimore.
The 30-year-old veteran started every game during his seven seasons in Chicago and reunites with linebacker Roquan Smith, who he played with for five years.
More importantly, Jackson joins forces with Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams, giving the Ravens three premier patrolmen in their secondary. The Ravens already had arguably the best safety duo in the league. Now there is zero doubt that they have the best trio.
635: Reaction to Eddie Jackson Addition
Our insiders, Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing, share their take on the Ravens' move to sign veteran Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson, talk about what he'll bring to Baltimore, and how it affects the rest of the roster.
While the Ravens have expressed their confidence in Ar’Darius Washington, who can also play multiple roles, they have now added more safety experience to replace Geno Stone, who left for Cincinnati in free agency after leading the AFC in interceptions last season.
Jackson can step into Stone's role in Baltimore's defense, allowing for more flexibility with the use of Hamilton and other members of the secondary. Like Stone, Jackson also has a nose for the football.
A former college football champion at Alabama, Jackson was a first-team All-Pro in 2018 and Pro Bowler in 2018 and 2019. He was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded safety in the league in 2018, when he finished fourth in the league with six interceptions and scored three touchdowns.
With 15 career interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries, Jackson is regarded as one of the top ballhawks in the league. His six defensive scores are tied with Marcus Peters for the most since entering the league in 2017.
After a two-year dry spell without a pick, Jackson moved from strong safety to free safety in 2022 after the Bears drafted Jaquan Brisker. That helped fuel a bounce back season, in which he grabbed four interceptions. However, that season ended with a Lisfranc foot injury that sent him to injured reserve.
Jackson returned at the start of last season but was still hampered by injuries that limited his season to 12 games. He recorded one interception (off former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco) and 37 tackles.
The hope is that with another year removed from the foot injury, Jackson can return to his previous form in Baltimore.
The Bears had made Jackson the league's highest-paid safety with a four-year, $58 million contract extension before the 2020 season but released him with one year left.
"I know [Jackson was] dinged up a little bit there, but I thought where his impact is really with Brisker and the communication on the back end," Bears General Manager Ryan Poles said after the season. "When Eddie was in, you could tell Brisker felt really, really comfortable. Really that whole group, he really impacts the communication, and you could see that."
Jackson started every game he suited up for in Chicago, so it will be an adjustment coming to Baltimore as the No. 3 safety. But the Ravens will find numerous ways to mix and match their secondary, and Jackson still projects to see significant action.
The Ravens made several late signings to bolster their defense last season, including outsider linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy and cornerbacks Arthur Maulet and Ronald Darby. Those were big hits for Baltimore, and the Ravens hope for the same with Jackson.
