Packers need safety help but should steer clear of recently-released All-Pro

The Green Bay Packers must upgrade the safety position this offseason.

They will have opportunities in the draft—Miami's Kamren Kinchens and Minnesota's Tyler Nubin are early-round options—but it's not a particularly deep class. If the Packers miss out on the top safeties, they could be scrambling for help at the position.

Signing a free agent would solve that issue. They could still draft a safety for the future but would enter draft night without the pressure of needing one.

Free agents like Xavier McKinney or Geno Stone could interest the Packers, but a former All-Pro has recently become available.

Bears release Eddie Jackson, but Packers should avoid former All-Pro

On Thursday, the Chicago Bears announced they have released veteran safety Eddie Jackson. A former fourth-round pick, Jackson had an excellent career in Chicago, earning first-team All-Pro and two Pro Bowl honors.

The Packers have found success by signing a Bears safety in the past. They brought in Adrian Amos five years ago. However, it's a different situation with Jackson.

While he is a former All-Pro, Jackson is 30 years old, and his best football is behind him. He last made the Pro Bowl in 2019.

Jackson was outstanding in his first three seasons with the Bears, making a combined 26 pass defenses, 10 interceptions, four forced fumbles, and five defensive touchdowns. According to Pro Football Reference, Jackson allowed passer ratings of just 40.5 and 57.6 in his coverage in 2018 and 2019.

But he has struggled to maintain that level of play throughout his NFL career. Jackson missed five games this season, finishing with five pass defenses and one interception. He allowed a passer rating of 120.6 in his coverage, the third time it has gone over 100 in the past four seasons.

Jackson is still a talented player, but he is no longer an All-Pro or a game-changer. He enters his age-31 season in 2024. The Packers need safety help, but they shouldn't sign another former Bears safety this offseason.

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