D’Marco Jackson Emerging as a Key Piece in the Bears’ Defensive Puzzle
When the Bears scooped up linebacker D’Marco Jackson off waivers back in late August, it barely registered as more than a depth move. He was expected to be a special teams contributor, maybe a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency guy.
After all, he was joining a linebacker room that already featured Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and promising rookie Noah Sewell.
Add in fourth-round pick Ruben Hyppolite, and Jackson looked like he was firmly on the outside looking in.
But fast forward to December, and Jackson isn’t just part of the rotation - he’s become one of the Bears’ most reliable defenders. What started as a quiet, under-the-radar pickup has turned into one of the best value moves of the Bears’ offseason.
From Depth Piece to Defensive Anchor
Jackson had some familiarity with the scheme thanks to his time in New Orleans under Dennis Allen, who now runs the Bears’ defense. But that connection didn’t immediately translate into playing time.
In fact, through the first five weeks of the season, Jackson logged just a single defensive snap. That changed in Week 6 - and by Week 12, with Edmunds sidelined, Jackson was starting and playing every down.
Since stepping into that expanded role, Jackson has been nothing short of outstanding. Over the last month, he’s arguably been the Bears' most consistent and impactful defender.
His performance against the Browns was a statement game - he was named Pro Football Focus’ Defensive Player of the Week, and the tape backed it up. He went seven-for-seven on tackles and allowed just two catches for three total yards on five targets in coverage.
That’s elite-level production in any system.
And it’s not just a one-week flash. Jackson currently holds the highest PFF grade of any Bears defender this season at 83.8 - a mark that also ranks fifth among 88 eligible linebackers league-wide. While PFF grades aren’t gospel, they do help paint a picture, and right now, that picture shows Jackson playing at a high level across the board.
A Good Problem for the Bears’ Front Office
Jackson’s rise is a huge win for the Bears, but it also creates some interesting questions for GM Ryan Poles heading into the offseason. Jackson is a pending free agent, and with the way he’s playing, he’s earned a serious look for a new deal. The Bears already have Edmunds, Edwards, Sewell, and Hyppolite under contract for at least another year, so something’s got to give.
Edmunds has an out in his contract after this season, which gives the front office some flexibility. But he’s been more effective than Sewell this year, and cutting ties with a big-money free agent after just two seasons is never an easy call.
Then there’s Hyppolite, who hasn’t shown much in his rookie campaign. Would the Bears really move on from a fourth-round pick after just one year?
That’s a tough sell, but not out of the question if Jackson continues to outplay the rest of the room.
Jackson Deserves to Be Part of the Future
No matter how the Bears shuffle the linebacker deck this offseason, one thing feels clear: D’Marco Jackson has earned a seat at the table. He’s proven he can handle a full-time role, and he’s doing it with consistency, versatility, and production - the kind of traits every defense needs. Whether he’s flying downhill to stuff the run or dropping into coverage with confidence, Jackson has become a difference-maker.
For a player who started the year buried on the depth chart, it’s been a remarkable rise. And for the Bears, it might just be one of the best under-the-radar moves of the year.