Bears betting on Eddie Jackson bouncing back to Pro Bowl level

Eddie Jackson had 15 takeaways over his first three seasons, but just one over the last two.PALM BEACH, Fla. — As Bears general manager Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus sorted out which players fit their long-term plans and which needed to be cleared out to gain draft picks and financial flexibility, safety Eddie Jackson’s massive contract presented a tough call.

Two years ago, it made perfect sense for the Bears to make Jackson the NFL’s highest-paid safety with a massive contract extension. But the player who earned that deal has gone missing.

There has been less ball-hawking and more business decisions. Tackling has been a major issue. He’s been unreliable.

But rather than trade Jackson or cut…