Bears bringing back LB Jackson on two-year deal

The Bears will be bringing back linebacker D’Marco Jackson, per multiple reports. The team reportedly signed Jackson to a two-year, $10.5 million deal.

Jackson stepped up when the Bears needed him to during his lone season with them last year. Chicago claimed Jackson off waivers in August after he had previously played under Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen with the Saints.

That signing proved to be crucial, especially in November when the Bears played without all three of their starting linebackers. Jackson became the starting middle linebacker in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and finished with 15 tackles. In Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns, Jackson recorded his first career sack and interception, which earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Jackson started four games, plus one in the playoffs, to go along with 18 regular-season and postseason appearances. He finished the year with a career-high 43 tackles.

“He’s stepped up and performed well for us what he’s been called on,” Allen said in January before the team’s NFC divisional round game. “So I thought what he was able to do [in the NFC Wild Card], going from every rep in practice playing the SAM linebacker position, and then next thing you know, early on the game, he’s playing the MIKE and he’s got the green dot, communicating the defense. So I’ve got a lot of confidence in his ability to go in and play well.”

The move secures a dependable starter in Allen’s defense as the Bears face some uncertainty in the linebacker room. Chicago released Tremaine Edmunds on the final year of his contract last week to create more salary cap space. Noah Sewell suffered an Achilles injury in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers and could potentially need some time to get back into for during the year.

Chicago will likely look for more linebacker reinforcements in free agency or in April’s draft, which has a talented class.