Eddie Jackson Talks NFL Future, Bears, Vic Fangio, Call of Duty and More

As an NFL free agent for the primary time in his profession, All-Professional security Eddie Jackson has extra downtime than normal proper now.

The 31-year-old ex-Bears star fills a few of it with video video games, particularly Name of Obligation, NBA 2K and NCAA Soccer. 

Jackson just lately sat down with VideoGamer for a wide-ranging Q&A, hitting on his NFL future, the Bears’ robust begin, his ill-fated Ravens stint, the staff Jackson would signal with “in a heartbeat,” if Madden scores are widely-discussed within the locker room, plus rather more.

This interview has been edited for size and readability.

VideoGamer: What’s up, Eddie. What’s your day-to-day life like proper now? How are issues going?

Eddie Jackson: “Issues have been going good, man. Nonetheless been coaching. I’ve began doing this podcast ‘Off The Clock’ with my former teammate Josh Bellamy from the Bears. And simply having fun with my household. Being a dad.”

VG: How large of a gamer are you?

EJ: “I’ve truly simply began to select it up, for actual. I’m in love with Name of Obligation. I’m a Name of Obligation head. I’m a C.O.D.-head. I simply picked up the 2K. I play a little bit NCAA, too. And Madden. These are the video games of alternative. I’m not a super-duper enormous gamer, however I do like taking part in. It’s an excellent pastime for me. Particularly proper now. I’ve obtained time after my exercise within the morning, so I’ll eat after which soar on a recreation for a pair hours. I’m undoubtedly choosing it up.”

VG: What’s it like being within the locker room when Madden scores are launched? Is there quite a lot of dialog about the place guys land?

EJ: “Early on it was like, ‘They’ve obtained me rated a 70? What?’ As gamers we undoubtedly do take note of it. However we don’t even understand how they’re ranking a few of us. So that you don’t pay an excessive amount of consideration to is, however taking part in with your self on a recreation is certainly cool. I wasn’t actually taking part in the sport an excessive amount of, particularly once I was within the league. With soccer, I used to be like, ‘My life is soccer all-around. After I go dwelling, I’m already watching a bunch of movie. I don’t wish to sit up right here and play soccer.’ I’d go play Name of Obligation or one thing. However, yeah, the scores undoubtedly get talked about within the locker room. Particularly the younger guys.”

Q: Would you wish to play this 12 months if the suitable state of affairs presents itself? 

EJ: “I’m staying prepared and open to answering that decision. There’s no actual staff, however it might have to make sense for either side, in fact, being this late in my profession. I do miss soccer. It’s undoubtedly totally different being on a schedule for a lot of your life, and now there’s a lot time. It’s like, ‘What do I do as we speak?’ Now I’ve been having fun with my children, however I’m open to (a return). I really like competing, love being on the market. There may be nothing prefer it. Being away reveals you the way a lot you miss the sport. So, yeah, if the suitable state of affairs presents itself, I’d take an curiosity in that, for positive.”

VG: At this level in your profession do you are feeling like you could possibly be a plug-and-play man?

EJ: “Oh, 1,000 p.c. That’s the factor about this league. A lot of the techniques are very comparable. Me having quite a lot of totally different coordinators with the Bears, I skilled quite a lot of techniques and schemes. The NFL is all beneath a tree. Everybody comes from this method, this coach. There’s quite a lot of similarities. So I’d undoubtedly not a lose a step and have the ability to get proper into it.”

VG: What do you consider the job Ben Johnson has completed to this point, and what do you consider the Bears’ trajectory?

EJ: “I really like what they’re doing proper now. 4-game win streak, and the final time was 2018, once we had been having that kind of 12 months on protection. Ben Johnson, I really feel like what he introduced from the Lions and the coach (Dan Campbell) he was beneath: he introduced that mindset and that tradition. That’s the most important problem the Bears had been dealing with.

“I watch them each week. I spent seven years there and now I’m an enormous fan. I really like seeing my younger guys developing – (Jaquan) Brisker, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Jaylon Johnson – and I really like watching KB (Kevin Byard) getting the turnovers. I really like the trajectory of the place they’re headed and I undoubtedly love what Ben Johnson is constructing over there. It’s thrilling, and I perceive Bears followers now. It’s like, ‘Once you guys win, you don’t perceive the way it makes us really feel.’ Now that I’m on the opposite facet of it watching, I prefer it. I really feel good. I’m a proud alumni.”

VG: They lead the league in takeaways, which was all the time a giant a part of your recreation. Do you respect that?

EJ: “Oh, I really like that they’re doing that. I simply want they may rating extra touchdowns on protection. Get these balls and go rating, man. The fellows are cool with the interception. I believed (Nahson Wright) was going to return it for a landing final week. I wished to see that. However man I really like what they’re doing defensively proper now. Lots of people counted them out. I performed with quite a lot of these guys. I’m the OG, so watching Brisk and them guys doing their factor, it’s undoubtedly particular.”

VG: Brisker has all the time been a proficient man however has had the concussion points. Did you are concerned that it may finish his profession early, and the way good it’s to see him staying wholesome and taking part in properly? 

EJ: “I used to name him Mega Shark, and I’d clarify to him, to not tone it down, however step again a little bit bit with the reckless hits. You wish to be recognized for that play-style, which he’s, however (it’s scary) when it’s the mind, and you’ve got that many concussions. 

“He’s a baller and he’s an enormous a part of that protection. To see him go on the market and do his factor, I’m loving it. I’m proud.”

VG: Have you ever observed him attempting to stroll that line between being aggressive however not reckless?

EJ: “Most undoubtedly. He’s been extra cautious. However bro, it’s arduous to make that pondering course of inside a millisecond. You’re actually making that call in a millisecond. It’s arduous. It will probably gradual your play down, and I really feel like that occurred to him earlier this season. You may see now he’s like, ‘Overlook that. I’m again to doing what I’m doing.’ However he’s simply attempting to maintain his head out of these conditions.’ He’s undoubtedly been taking the initiative to modify it up however nonetheless play at a excessive stage.”

VG: What are your ideas on Caleb Williams and the best way he’s taking part in proper now?

EJ: “I’m having fun with Caleb Williams. I really feel like he nonetheless has quite a lot of rising and constructing to do, however they’re headed in the suitable course. He’s very proficient. I really like that he could make any throw on the sector, and I really like that he doesn’t attempt to do an excessive amount of. In Chicago, there’s a lot stress placed on the quarterbacks. I’m loving that he’s blocking it out. He hasn’t put up the loopy numbers, however so long as he wins.”

VG: How did you are feeling about your stint in Baltimore final 12 months? Any saltiness as a result of it didn’t work out?

EJ: “Nah, man. Lots of people actually don’t know what I went via in Baltimore. I’m not saying it’s anybody’s fault, however it simply wasn’t what I used to be used to as a participant. I used to be in Chicago and I got here in as a fourth-rounder, so I felt like I earned my spot. Going there, man, it was totally different. It’s the Ravens Method. That’s an actual assertion. I feel Jaire Alexander can contest to this. Once they say the Ravens Method, it’s the Ravens Method. With every little thing.

“Me coming from the Bears and being one of many leaders of the staff, there have been sure issues that had been totally different in the best way you had been handled. Issues labored out that I didn’t actually comply with. I’m a competitor, and I wish to play. If a man isn’t taking part in, as a competitor, I’m going to really feel a sure manner. I’m not going to behave so jolly, so completely happy that I’m not taking part in. 

“However the emotions I’ve for Baltimore, I’ve quite a lot of respect for (John Harbaugh). Rising up watching him, and he coached one among my favourite gamers rising up in Ed Reed, and Ray Lewis. There was a lot respect there, after which me being within the league for a lot time, I do know the enterprise a part of it. And with the GM, they very clear and I liked that. After which the gamers – LJ (Lamar Jackson) is from my manner. I’ve been watching him since he was little. Zay Flowers, that’s principally my cousin. Staying the evening at his home and seeing him run round as X-Males as a 7- or 8-year-old. Derrick Henry I performed with. Marlon Humphrey. It’s a love factor with Baltimore.”

VG: You most likely had such excessive hopes going into it, too, such as you had been going to win a Tremendous Bowl with these guys.

EJ: “Man, I’m like, ‘Yo, that is the dream staff.’ Even this 12 months I hit my agent like, ‘Let’s attempt to get a reunion in Baltimore.’ I mentioned that early on within the season. They’ve all of the expertise to do what must be completed, and this window is shrinking. 

“You’ve obtained to get it completed, and I’m such an enormous fan of LJ. All this stuff which have been mentioned about LJ: Can he recover from the hump? It’s been displaying to be true, so the time to do it’s proper now. After I went down there, I used to be like. ‘Oh that is it. I wish to spend my previous few years right here. No matter I obtained left within the tank, I would like it to be right here.’ It simply didn’t work out that manner, however I nonetheless hope they get it completed. I actually wish to see LJ do it. Derrick Henry. They’re first-ballot Corridor of Famers, and also you’ve obtained to high it off with a Tremendous Bowl.”

VG: Proper now Baltimore is permitting essentially the most factors per recreation within the NFL. DId you see cracks within the basis if you had been there, or does it shock you?

EJ: “I’m undoubtedly stunned. I didn’t anticipate it to go like this for the back-end. Actually, from my perspective, there are quite a lot of guys going out and in. Like with me and A’Darius (Washington) final 12 months, I’d go in and play two collection, he’d are available and play two or three collection. In soccer, quite a lot of it’s off really feel. It’s a must to get in a groove, so if you put guys in and snatch guys out, I really feel like that takes away from the chemistry on the again finish.

“It’s about attempting to settle everybody down, and the fellows which can be going to be on the market, getting them these repetitions. Allow them to construct that chemistry with the fellows on the again finish, as a substitute of so many rotating items. That’s the one factor I really feel like is occurring with Baltimore.

“I don’t suppose it’s Zach Orr. I feel Zach Orr is an effective defensive coordinator. He has some holes in his protection, however quite a lot of it’s the chemistry on the again finish, guys being comfy with one another. It’s a sense. Marlon (Humphrey) would possibly wish to play his zone from 5-10, whereas this man would possibly play his zone from 7-12 yards. An inch in a soccer recreation is a great distance.”

VG: And for those who’re passing off guys within the secondary, there’s quite a lot of communication that must be had.

EJ: “Precisely. This man would possibly take it excessive and this man would possibly play it a little bit decrease. Issues like that, followers don’t actually take note of, however it performs an enormous position within the recreation. It’s known as a recreation of inches, and that’s enormous. That’s what I feel is admittedly happening. However I really feel like after they get LJ again, Roquan again, Kyle Van Noy again to 100% wholesome, issues will begin taking an excellent flip for them in that again finish. 

“One factor about Harbs. He’s going to resolve it.”

VG: What stood out about John Harbaugh if you obtained there? Was he tremendous consideration to element, or is it extra about his observe file?

EJ: “It’s each. What he’s completed in his previous, with nevertheless many Tremendous Bowls. And from me being there final 12 months, he’s a man that’s very concerned. He trusts his coaches, however he’s nonetheless concerned and he loves the suggestions from his gamers. That’s why I say that I do know Harbs goes to do his greatest to resolve it. 

“And figuring out Z.O., a former participant, he’s feeling every little thing proper now. He’s nonetheless residing in that participant really feel, the competitiveness. I really feel like they’ve an excellent group of coaches. They only have to resolve what’s happening.”

VG: This Harbaugh-Ravens group has been superior, although they’ve by no means made a Tremendous Bowl with Lamar. Andy Reid went via the identical factor in Philly with Donovan McNabb and ultimately obtained fired, however we see what he’s doing now with KC. It’s not like there’s a ton of chatter, however do you suppose it’s silly to speak about probably discovering a contemporary coach in Baltimore?

EJ: “Being on this facet of it now, like once I’m watching Alabama, the frustration, the feelings flare up and run wild. So I can get why folks really feel that, however you’ve obtained top-of-the-line coaches within the league. I really feel prefer it’s so far-fetched to usher in a coach apart from Harbaugh. That will be loopy for the group to do. You don’t know what the following coach is bringing to the desk. Not less than with Harbs, you recognize what you get, who you get, and what he’s constructed. It’s proof within the pudding. 

“It’s slimming right down to recover from the hump and win the Tremendous Bowl, as a result of these groups don’t keep collectively eternally. It’s a revolving door. So I perceive it as a fan and from an out of doors perspective, however as a participant, it’s loopy to say you’d do away with a coach like Harbaugh, who sooner or later could be a Corridor of Fame coach.”

VG: Vic Fangio was in Chicago if you had been drafted. How instrumental was he in setting you up for fulfillment early on with the Bears?

EJ: “Oh, 1,000 p.c. I used to be all the time inform folks: Vic Fangio was the closest factor I’ve seen to Nick Saban so far as scouting a staff. Hand-written notes, and actually dissecting a staff inside and outside. The state of affairs he put me in, it reveals. He did it with me, Justin Simmons, Ceedy Deuce (Chauncey Gardner-Johnson). His system works, particularly for safeties. There’s quite a lot of respect, and quite a lot of thank yous to Vic for what I used to be in a position to do early in my profession. A whole lot of that stuff was a testomony to his scheme, and the best way he put me in place to make performs. He trusted me quite a bit.

“I respect Vic greater than you recognize, and I truly tried to recover from there. I despatched Vic a textual content, like, ‘Yo, Coach, I’m free. Come on, let’s do it.‘ He mentioned, ‘OK, I’ll let Howie (Roseman) know.’ It didn’t work out, however who is aware of what the longer term holds?”

VG: That was going to be my subsequent query. You wished to have the dream ending with the Ravens final 12 months, however how about Philly now? You realize Vic, they’re the defending champions, and it feels such as you’d be on the short-list for in-season assist since you recognize the protection so properly.

EJ: “That will be a dream situation. I wished to really go to Philly final 12 months. That’s the loopy half that folks don’t know. I actually wished to go to Philly, however we couldn’t come to the suitable phrases. However, man, I’d like to get a reunion with Vic. That system proper there, I inform each defensive again I’ve ever performed with, when you’ve got an excellent entrance – like we had in Chicago in 2018 and what Philly has now – you’re again there simply choosing cherries off a tree. I’ve been round 4 or 5 defensive coordinators, and I’ve nonetheless by no means seen anybody do it like Vic does. I’d go there in a heartbeat.”

VG: Some guys which have gotten paid don’t wish to get off the sofa for lower than $5 million or no matter. Is cash an element at this level, or would you play for the minimal?

EJ: “I really like soccer, and I’ve made some huge cash. It’s actually not a cash factor. It’s extra about the suitable state of affairs the place I can exit and truly play. That’s what it’s extra about. I would like a chance to really exit on the sector and play. As a result of I can cheerlead from dwelling. I don’t have to face on the sideline out of the uniform and cheer for the staff once I can do this from my sofa with my children. That’s what it’s extra about for me. Do I actually get an opportunity to contribute to this staff, and play? Cash’s all the time good, however I’ve made some cash. So it’s in regards to the alternative, for positive.”

VG: Did you return to Alabama this weekend? I learn that they had been honoring the 2015 championship staff.

EJ: “Yeah, they honored us earlier than the sport and so they put our households within the suites. It was a full circle second. Seeing guys I haven’t seen in years. We’re all like, ‘Yo, it’s been 10 years. That’s a very long time.’ However simply seeing all the fellows and catching up with them, sharing recollections, it was a full circle second. I used to be in a position to take my fiancee and my daughter on the market. We met at Alabama, so it was actually enjoyable. I’ve obtained to get again on the market extra, for positive.”

VG: Nick Saban had it rolling if you had been there, and thru his retirement. Final 12 months was a little bit step again, after which they misplaced the opener, however now issues look promising. How do you are feeling about Kalen DeBoer and the trajectory of this system post-Saban?

EJ: “He’s doing a reasonably good job, for positive. At first I wished him to be extra powerful on the fellows to achieve the usual. However man, it’s arduous to fill the footwear of Nick Saban. We’re speaking a couple of first-ballot Corridor of Famer. The man had a statue of himself in entrance of the stadium whereas he was nonetheless teaching. The sphere is known as after him whereas he’s nonetheless alive. So it’s arduous to return in and fill Nick Saban’s footwear, whoever that coach was. The factor that Nick Saban was so good at was creating an ordinary. So we all know the system works. 

“However I really like what they’ve been doing after that loss to Florida State. Ty Simpson. My boy is doing his factor, trying nice. I’m glad Ryan Williams obtained again this week. He’s been placing some balls on the bottom, however that’s part of it. 

“So they’re trying good, however I gained’t say it’s to the usual of what I do know they are often, simply being a former participant. Like, the runs they gave up in opposition to Tennessee. If we gave up them runs, Ryan Anderson, Reuben Foster, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, A’Shawn Robinson, these boys could be over there having a match. I’m speaking about, it might be on fireplace on the sidelines giving up a few of these runs. That’s the place I would like the protection to show up a little bit bit. Extra physicality, stopping the run, attending to the quarterback. They want that sense of urgency. I’m loving what I’m seeing proper now, however there’s some work to be completed, for positive.”

VG: They’ve obtained a excessive customary to achieve if you take a look at all of the defensive gamers which have come via Alabama.

EJ: “Man, the usual is so excessive, that’s why they depart the posters up across the stadium, so you may see what got here earlier than you. Once we got here, it was Rolando (McClain), C.J. Mosley, Dee Milner, all of them guys. They depart them up so you may see, like, yo, that is what we produce. You’ve obtained to reside as much as it.”

VG: Do you know a lot about Ty Simpson heading into the season? Clearly he’s been implausible.

EJ: “I didn’t know an excessive amount of about him. I used to be speaking to Ha Ha (Clinton-Dix), and Ha Ha was telling me good issues about him. However seeing his poise, he’s appearing like he’s been there earlier than. To have a assured quarterback taking part in at that stage proper now, we all know that’s very harmful. Particularly having the weapons he has round him. However him dealing with every little thing so calmly, he’s taking part in at a really excessive stage. And I hear the Heisman discuss is beginning to come into play with him. He’s hooping proper now.”

VG: Did you watch the Thursday Night time Sport with Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco taking part in?

EJ: ‘The Unc Bowl!’

VG: Haha, sure, the Unc Bowl. You had your battles in opposition to Rodgers when he was with Inexperienced Bay. It looks like we’ve all been prepared to shut the ebook on him, however does he have some magic left?

EJ: “Aaron Rodgers is a kind of quarterbacks you can by no means depend out. You may by no means depend A-Rod out. It’s undoubtedly totally different from when he was with Inexperienced Bay. Individuals discuss in regards to the age factor, however I actually don’t suppose it’s the age factor. It was the chemistry he had. Him with Davante Adams and people guys, they’d be on the sector, and so they wouldn’t give any alerts. When you may take a look at one another and nod, and it may be three totally different routes, that’s particular. He doesn’t have that proper now, however final week, him and Joe Flacco each stunned me.”

VG: Rodgers doesn’t have the identical mobility as his peak, and a number of the different bodily attributes are down, however the thoughts is sharp, and the way essential is that at quarterback?

EJ: “That’s what he was all the time greatest at. Dissecting coverages so he may hurry up and take that 5-yard route. He’ll take these 5-, 6-yard routes all day for those who give them to him. It’s 70-80% of the sport, that psychological half. We noticed Tom Brady do it for years. Like we noticed on Thursday, it’s arduous to depend out (Rodgers) as a result of he has that veteran mindset and that information of the sport. He is aware of coverages and how you can assault them.”

VG: I wished to ask about Justin Fields, a man who was with you in Chicago. He obtained benched this weekend, however we do have Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold as success-story reclamation initiatives. Is there any runway left for Fields to be a possible starter within the NFL?

EJ: “Realistically with this league, we all know how this stuff occur. Went to Pittsburgh after Chicago and had an opportunity there. Went to the Jets, had an opportunity there this 12 months. It’s undoubtedly working slim. I don’t know if I’d completely put him on the back-burner simply but, however one thing should occur fast.

“I do know him, and I do know it’s irritating. We will discuss dangerous groups, however it’s arduous to say issues like that once we’ve obtained Jaxson Dart coming to the New York Giants and doing what he’s doing. You may have all these younger quarterbacks entering into these organizations and having success instantly. So the timeframe isn’t fairly working out, however it’s working slim. 

“And I really like Justin. I really feel like has all of the attributes to be one thing particular within the league given the suitable system. We see Baker Mayfied get lower off the Carolina Panthers, who haven’t been to the playoffs since, what, Cam Newton? Going to Tampa Bay after Tom Brady and being productive like that, changing into one of many front-runners for MVP proper now? So the system performs a giant half in it, however the time is certainly winding down.”

VG: Tremendous Bowl favorites, who could be your decide at this level?

EJ: “At this level, I’m going Kansas Metropolis within the AFC. I did my top-5 and I put Pat Mahomes in there. Individuals mentioned, ‘Oh, you’re simply going by title.’ No, I’m going by what I see. Patrick Mahomes continues to be Patrick Mahomes. We will’t discredit him as a result of he has a down recreation or two. So Chiefs. I just like the Ravens, too. I don’t see Buffalo doing it. Kansas Metropolis is certainly the favourite proper now.

“Within the NFC, I don’t see Detroit getting it completed in opposition to the highest contending groups. So I’d say Philly once more, perhaps. If I had my Tremendous Bowl matchup as we speak, I’d say the Kansas Chiefs or the Baltimore Ravens in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. And Detroit because the alternate.”