The Baltimore Ravens made a typical move in free agency, signing Eddie Jackson to a one-year deal in principle. The former Chicago Bears star was on the market after he was cut due to cap space earlier this offseason. He was one of the better names still available.
Once Geno Stone signed with the division rival Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, the Ravens had to add some experience in the safety position. Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton missed some playing time due to injuries, so getting a veteran in the rotation was a need this offseason.
With 15 career interceptions, the 30-year-old will fit right in Baltimore and make their secondary a top unit in the NFL. Their defense, now led by Zach Orr, will have to keep up the high expectations now that Mike Macdonald left. He is now the Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks.
Baltimore Ravens Sign Eddie Jackson to One-Year Deal
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Ravens struck a deal for the rumored safety a week before training camps began for all teams and players. Due to the tanking safety free agent market, Baltimore seized an opportunity to snag one in former All-Pro Eddie Jackson.
His better seasons are past him, as the former Bears free safety had his best career seasons in 2018 and 2019. Jackson was a fourth-rounder in 2017 and was a rookie starter in Chicago, beating out an experienced player in Adrian Amos at the time as a ball hawk.
Now in Baltimore, the Alabama defensive back under Nick Saban will rejoin his former teammates, Marlon Humphrey and Derrick Henry. The Crimson Tide safety also will be back with Roquan Smith, who was in Chicago before the Bears traded him to the Ravens in 2022.
Super Bowl Contender Secures Veteran Depth at Safety
After winning 13 games in 2023, this was the smart move the Ravens needed to make to put their defense over the top. Getting another playmaker on defense to add to their safety room was a need, as their late-round or undrafted rookies as depth are not good enough on paper.
Eddie Jackson will allow Baltimore to keep their three-headed rotation, as he can man either safety spot while Hamilton roams around the defense with Williams on the other side. I wouldn’t be surprised if they go all in and bring in a veteran cornerback as well like Stephon Gilmore.
While their safety room hasn’t been the healthiest yet, including Jackson, Ar’Darius Washington is another hybrid defensive back who could contribute more in 2024. Adding a safety who has started 100 games in seven seasons is worth the gamble with where their roster is.
Free Agent Addition Makes Defense One of the Best in the NFL
Their defense had a few starters lost, including Stone and Patrick Queen to the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. Carolina native Jadeveon Clowney went back to his home state with the Panthers and Ronald Darby signed with an AFC contender Jacksonville Jaguars.
Baltimore put in insurance policies, with former second-round pick Trenton Simpson now playing next to Smith as a full-time starter. They also re-signed star Justin Madubuike long-term and drafted two cornerbacks high in the 2024 NFL Draft with Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa.
The Ravens were previously interested in Justin Simmons, currently a free agent, and Jamal Adams, who they met with before he signed with the Tennessee Titans. This was a month before they brought in Eddie Jackson, bolstering their secondary back with a solid safety trio. It will be intriguing if Orr can replicate Macdonald’s 2023 success on defense as their new coordinator.
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