Sunday, Nov. 23, is a day D’Marco Jackson will never forget. Not only did Jackson wear the green dot helmet for the second time in his career, calling the plays for the Bears’ defense, but it was also a day removed from his daughter’s month birthday.

Chicago was depleted more than they have been all season on defense, as all three starting linebackers, Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Noah Sewell, missed the game. This made Jackson the next man up and in line for his first career NFL start.

Drafted in the fifth round in 2022, Jackson didn’t appear on the field in his rookie season. In 2023, he made 12 tackles across 10 games, and in 2024, he played in 17 games, making 14 tackles. Sunday, Jackson came up with 15 tackles, 10 assisted, and five solo to lead the team.

It was a performance Jackson had prepared for all week, changing his routine, and one he took full advantage of. Jackson received one of two game balls after the game from coach Ben Johnson, but credited his teammates for allowing him to perform as well as he did.

“Yeah, I seen it,” Jackson said on seeing his stats after the game. “Honestly, I’m even more so happy with my teammates, how they believed in me, the support they poured in me throughout the week. It’s an amazing, rewarding feeling.”

Jackson said his fellow linebacker teammates, Edmunds, Edwards, and Sewell, were helpful throughout the week and didn’t check out. Stayed to watch the film, and even during Sunday’s game, gave his advice on the sideline.

Leading up to Sunday’s game, Chicago worked rookie linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II at the weak-side linebacker position. Still, as he left the game early, Chicago dug even deeper into their bench, and Amen Ogbongbemiga was called upon.

Ogbongbemiga played 40 defensive snaps, the most in a game since his time at Oklahoma State back in 2020. The special teams ace came into the game and, even dealing with cramps for playing more than his body is used to, delivered for Chicago.

“This group is resilient,” Brisker said. “We make a lot of plays, we trust each other. Chemistry is growing, and you can tell we don’t get too high or too low. We just stay neutral, which is big, and we know how to finish.”

After the game, back in the locker room, Johnson praised Chicago for its fight and being tested down several defensive starters.

“Here we are towards the back half of the season, and our depth is being tested. How are we going to win this game? We have no linebackers,” Johnson said sarcastically. I can keep going on and on, and on, credit to you guys.”

On the offensive side of the ball, Ozzy Trapilo stepped up to play left tackle for the injured Theo Benedet, and for a brief moment, rookie guard Luke Newman played for the injured Jonah Jackson, who came back in the game.

“Credit to Ozzy for stepping up, having not played a lot of ball this year, and he played a really solid game for us. I thought it was really good.”

Multiple players, after Sunday’s win, praised Johnson’s ability to keep second- and third-string players ready to play throughout the week.

“This is kind of what I’m accustomed to,” Johnson said. “Where I’ve been in the past, this is what happens this time of the year. Guys go down, and someone has to step up. The vision has been from the time we ended training camp that if you’re a special teams player on the 53, be ready to be starting at some point on offense or defense, and likewise if you’re a practice squad player, be ready to be called up.”

We’ve tried to develop them over the course of the year. You know, our coaching staff they do a really good job of not just coaching the guys that are going to be playing on Sunday, but making sure we are coaching the show team as well. I think those guys know they are not just here to fill a roster spot, they have a big role to play in terms of what we’re doing, so when their number is called, they don’t shy away from it.”