D'Marco Jackson's Hit on Hurts Defines Physical Identity of Bears Defense

The NFL issued fines throughout the league for infractions that occurred in Week 3. 

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, six players were fined for "major" infractions. Someone who wasn't listed was Chicago Bears linebacker D'Marco Jackson for his hit on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the 27-7 Week 3 win on Monday Night Football. 

With 8:37 left in the second quarter, Hurts escaped the pocket to his right and ran in the direction of the right sideline. Hurts didn't take a direct horizontal approach but instead tried to get additional yardage by taking a 45 degree angle. Jackson saw that and made a hit on the Eagles' quarterback, one that drew an unnecessary roughness penalty and sent Hurts into the blue medical tent to be evaluated for a concussion. 

Backup quarterback Andy Dalton came in for the next four plays, and rookie safety Dillon Thieneman intercepted him on third-and-goal at Chicago's 2-yard line to end Philadelphia's promising scoring drive. 

"Man, you know, I just feel like it's a 50/50 play," Jackson said. "You know, in my head I'm thinking like stopping him from getting the first down like it was the goal line, last play of the game type of situation."

Jackson also acknowledged that he doesn't want to put his team in that type of situation. Jackson's penalty was offset by an Eagles' holding call. 

"But at the same time, you got to defend every blade of grass when you're out there on the field," Jackson said. "So, you know, man, in our defense we want to be a nasty defense, swarming to the ball, physicality, violence, relentless, but also poised at the same time in those type of situations."

The Bears' veteran linebacker mentioned he isn't going to change his physical style of play, and linebackers coach Richard Smith would agree with that mentality. When Smith initially saw the play, he thought Jackson needed to be smarter in that situation and correct that moving forward. 

However, after Smith watched just the TV copy of the second down play, he had a different perspective. 

"That guy's feet were right on the grass, and you know, be honest with you, he made an aggressive hit on the quarterback," Smith said. "Now, they called it because it's a quarterback. They're trying to protect them, but realistically, I didn't feel like he was out of bounds, but the officials called it the way they did, and you have to move on from there. I liked his plant and I liked his drive, I liked his physicality. ...."

The Bears want opposing teams to know their defense is one that plays with aggression and physicality. That's the tone they want to establish this season, and Jackson's hit on Hurts displayed that type of mentality. 

The Bears are determined to build a defense defined by physicality and aggressiveness. Tone-setting plays likes Jackson's hit on Hurts make it clear to opposing teams what Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is looking for out of his unit.