CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 25: A detail of the Chicago Bears helmet pregame at Soldier Field on September 25, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Chicago Beas have released a second veteran and former Pro Bowler ahead of free agency next month.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears have released two-time Pro Bowl safety and fan favorite Eddie Jackson. The move came soon after it was reported that former Pro Bowl guard Cody Whitehair was also being released.

 

The Bears now have about $70 million in projected cap space, according to Spotrac. With the first overall pick in this year’s draft (courtesy of the Carolina Panthers), the No. 9 selection and a plethora of cap space, GM Ryan Poles has limitless opportunities to quickly turn this team into a juggernaut.

The 30-year-old Jackson earned Pro Bowl nods in 2018 and 2019, as well as a First-team All-Pro selection in the former year. Jackson helped the Bears to the NFC North division crown in 2018 and to a surprise wild card berth in 2020.

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In 2023, Jackson appeared in 12 games and finished with one interception and five pass defenses.

For his career, Jackson has 15 interceptions, three defensive touchdowns, 44 pass defenses, 10 forced fumbles and 459 combined tackles. His best season came in 2018, when the Alabama product racked up six interceptions, 15 pass breakups and a pair of forced fumbles.