Bears’ Jackson named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

The NFL named Bears linebacker D’Marco Jackson the NFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday.

Jackson earned the honor after having a career game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. He recorded his first career interception and sack in what was his fourth career start. The interception came in the third quarter and resulted in a touchdown pass from quarterback Caleb Williams to wide receiver DJ Moore on the very next play.

“My number finally got called there and I balled out,” Jackson said. “It’s a real honor.”

It’s been an impressive four-game stretch for Jackson, who was dropped by the Saints after training camp and signed with the Bears because of his familiarity with Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Jackson stepped up when starters Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell were all out of the lineup because of injuries.

“I always had that confidence in myself and my abilities,” Jackson said. “But honestly, I just didn’t know where it was going to be at. I always thought I was going to be in New Orleans. So to finally come here and just to be a part of this organization, how they took me in and just like built my confidence up, like it was a huge honor.”

Jackson is the team’s first NFC Defensive Player of the Week since Week 1 last season. He’s the fifth Bears player to earn an NFC Player of the Week/Month award this season.