Eddie Jackson may not still be the same All-Pro safety he once was with the Chicago Bears, but at 30 years old, he might be just the kind of player the Philadelphia Eagles need.

It also helps that his former coach is now with the Birds, too.

When Vic Fangio was hired to run the Eagles’ defense after a disastrous end to the 2023-24 season, the belief would be that he could bring not only experienced coaches to his staff but also some players to better help his scheme out.

Jackson, after being released by Chicago on Thursday afternoon, is just the kind of player who would help settle Fangio’s scheme down on a defense that may be tired of it.

Taken in the fourth round in 2017, Jackson blossomed under Fangio’s tutelage when the latter was defensive coordinator in Chicago. In 2018, Jackson recorded Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors after a six-interception season. When Fangio left to be the head coach in Denver, Jackson could never quite get back to that All-Pro caliber season.

In 2023, Jackson totaled 37 tackles, one interception, and five passes defended in 12 starts for the Bears. He recorded a Pro Football Focus grade of 58.6 – average for the position.

While PFF grades are never an exact science, the Alabama product dealt with nagging injuries last season in a year where Chicago’s defense finished as one of the best run defenses in football. His release, along with guard Cody Whitehair, saved the Bears over $20 million in cap space.

In regards to the Eagles, Philadelphia only has Reed Blankenship under contract entering the 2024 offseason so an addition at safety can be expected. As the coach who got to mold Jackson into the player and leader he is now, Fangio might just be the coach who can get the last bit of good football left in him.

The question will be if Philadelphia wants to sign a 30-year-old safety – a position they normally don’t spend a lot of money on overall.