D'Marco Jackson's Quietly Authored the Most Impressive Under-the-Radar Season in 2025
D'Marco Jackson quietly had one of the most impressive under-the-radar seasons on the Bears' roster in 2025, emerging as a trusted contributor on defense while maintaining his role as a special-teams mainstay.
D'Marco Jackson's 2025 Snapshot
OTHER 2025 CHICAGO BEARS SNAPSHOTS:
- Quarterback Caleb Williams
- Tight End Colston Loveland
- Safety Kevin Byard III
- Defensive end Austin Booker
- Wide receiver Luther Burden III
- Running back D'Andre Swift
- Running back Kyle Monangai
- Left guard Joe Thuney
- Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds
Chicago's linebacker corps faced multiple injuries in 2025. Tremaine Edmunds played in just 13 games, while T.J. Edwards could only participate in 10 regular-season games and missed the playoff finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Noah Sewell's injury caused him to miss four games, creating opportunities for D'Marco Jackson. A relative unknown at the start of the season, Jackson stepped up and had a breakout campaign in his first year with the Bears.
Jackson played in 16 of the team's 17 regular-season games, including his first four starts as a pro. He logged a personal-best 261 defensive snaps after spending the previous two seasons as a special-teams player in New Orleans. He continued to play a major role in kick coverage for Chicago, totaling 272 special-teams snaps. However, his expanded defensive responsibilities revealed a player capable of far more than spot duty.
He finished the season with 43 total tackles (18 solo), two tackles for loss, one sack, one quarterback hit, three passes defended, one interception, and a fumble recovery, far exceeding expectations given his snap count and role entering the year.
Jackson's impact extended beyond the box score. He graded out as one of the most efficient linebackers in football on a per-snap basis, posting an 83.8 overall PFF grade and an elite 90.7 coverage grade. His comfort in Dennis Allen's system, built during their shared time in New Orleans, was evident as he seamlessly stepped in when players ahead of him on the depth chart went down with injuries.
The defining moment of Jackson's season came in Week 15 against Cleveland, when he earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording seven tackles, two pass breakups, a sack, and an interception in Chicago's 31-3 rout of the Browns.
By the Numbers
- Tackles: 43
- Solo: 18
- Assisted: 25
- Tackles-for-loss: 2
- Sacks: 1
- Interceptions: 1
- Quarterback hits: 1
- PFF Grade: 76.4 (13th of 88 linebackers)
- NFC Defensive Player of the Week Awards: 1
D'Marco Jackson's Contract Status
Set to hit unrestricted free agency, Jackson enters the offseason as one of the league's more intriguing depth linebackers, a proven coverage defender with starting experience, strong system familiarity, and reliable special-teams value.
Jackson made $1.1 million with the Bears in 2025 and is likely due for a raise this offseason, whether in Chicago or elsewhere.
Turning the Page
Jackson was one of my favorite stories of the 2025 season. I'm sure there will be mutual interest in a return (and potentially an increased role) to Chicago at a price the Bears can live with, while still being productive in the transactional phases of the offseason.
I'm not ready to hand Jackson a starting role just yet. Still, his familiarity and comfort level in Allen's system were apparent in the best way this season. There is plenty of value in bringing the 28-year-old linebacker back, while still trying to add a more long-term solution in that spot through the draft if things shake out that way.
