Jackson was selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2022 draft out of Appalachian State. After spending his rookie season on injured reserve, he appeared in 17 games in 2023 and 10 contests in 2024 with New Orleans, all as a reserve who contributed primarily on special teams.
Waived by the Saints Aug. 26 as part of final cuts, he was claimed by the Bears the next day and has emerged as a valuable injury replacement. Jackson has played in all 13 games and made his first four NFL starts, recording 41 tackles, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery and two tackles-for-loss—in addition to his first career interception and sack.
“Happy for him,” said defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who served as Saints head coach during Jackson’s two seasons in New Orleans and advocated for the Bears to claim him. “He’s played well for us. It’s a credit to him and a credit to those assistant coaches who have been able to get those guys ready.”
Jackson was elated to win the award, especially given his unique circumstances.
“I feel like it’s a big blessing coming from my situation,” he said, “coming from New Orleans to be claimed here, to just being on special teams, and [when] my number finally got called to go ball out.”
Even when he was waived by the Saints, Jackson never doubted his ability to perform at a high level as an NFL linebacker.
“You’ve just got to figure out what’s next for you,” he said. “It was unexpected. It put me down. But when Chicago called and said they were claiming me, I just felt like it was a new path and a new journey for me.
“I always had that confidence in myself and my abilities. 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 come here and be a part of this organization—how they took me in and built my confidence up—it was a huge honor.”
Jackson has enjoyed reuniting with Allen and is thankful that he’s been able to repay the faith that the coach has shown in him.
“He’s the guy that drafted me to New Orleans,” Jackson said. “And for him to come pick me up and bring me here and just continue to develop me and believe in me to play in his system, it’s a huge blessing and I’m finally glad I got the opportunity to show it.”
Jackson is the fourth Bears player to win a player of the week award this season, joining Williams (Week 3) and tight end Colston Loveland (Week 9) on offense and Josh Blackwell (Week 4) on special teams. In addition, Jackson is the first Bears player to be named NFC Defensive Player of the Week since cornerback Tyrique Stevenson after Week 1 of last season.
