{"id":143411,"date":"2023-08-05T13:30:57","date_gmt":"2023-08-05T17:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=143411"},"modified":"2023-08-05T12:10:39","modified_gmt":"2023-08-05T16:10:39","slug":"eddie-jackson-bears-offense-roschon-johnson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/08\/05\/eddie-jackson-bears-offense-roschon-johnson\/","title":{"rendered":"Bears’ Eddie Jackson Sends Message as Defense Leads Way in Training Camp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Through the early going of training camp, the Chicago Bears defense certainly has had the advantage on most days led by safety Eddie Jackson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Both sides of the ball have been totally revamped<\/a> this offseason. But much of the attention has been on the offense. At the same time, the Bears\u2019 defense ranked 31st against the run<\/a> and 32nd in yards allowed per pass attempt last season.<\/p>\n

That latter number stands out as they have held their own against the passing game so far in camp.<\/p>\n

Bears’ Eddie Jackson to Offense: ‘We’re Not Letting Up’<\/h2>\n

Eddie Jackson: ‘Iron Sharpens Iron’<\/h3>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s on us,\u201d Jackson said when asked what that does for the defense\u2019s confidence. \u201cIt\u2019s about us on defense. No matter what they do, we want to bring the best out of them every day, as well as ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

A much-maligned group from 2022 added some teeth to the front seven. They added EDGE rusher Yannick Ngakoue<\/a> to an offseason haul that included linebackers Tremaine Edmunds<\/a> from the Buffalo Bills and T.J. Edwards<\/a> from the Philadelphia Eagles among several others like former Tennessee Titans EDGE rusher DeMarcus Walker<\/a> and former Las Vegas Raiders tackle Andrew Billings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A young secondary outside of the 29-year-old Jackson got a baptism by fire into the NFL last season and is playing faster this summer.<\/p>\n

That has led to a \u201cdifferent\u201d vibe permeating the defense<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s our motto: Keep your foot on the gas. We\u2019re not letting up. No matter if they\u2019re balling against us, if they come out here and have a flat day. We\u2019re gonna go out there, we\u2019re gonna compete. Iron sharpens iron.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quarterback Justin Fields<\/a> offered up a similar response when asked just how going up against this defense is paying off for the offense which has had to earn everything so far. Most notably, Fields wants the offense to emulate the defense\u2019s energy.<\/p>\n

\n

Since we\u2019re in the business of grading energy and \u201cjuice\u201d these days at Bears camp, the defense definitely is bringing it today. <\/p>\n

Jackson and Claypool are still chirping at each other as the team drill ends.<\/p>\n

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 5, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n