D’Marco Carnelius Jackson Bio
D’Marco Carnelius Jackson (born July 20, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He was originally selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and played three seasons with the team before joining Chicago in 2025.
Jackson earned Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honors in his final college season at Appalachian State. He has recorded 69 total tackles, one sack, one interception, two fumble recoveries, three pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown across his NFL career. In March 2026, he re-signed with the Bears on a two-year contract worth $7.5 million.
Early Life and Background
D’Marco Carnelius Jackson was born on July 20, 1998, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. He grew up in Spartanburg and attended Broome High School, where he established himself as a hard-hitting defensive player before moving on to the college level.
As a senior at Broome High School, Jackson was a finalist for South Carolina Mr. Football award. He recorded 78 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and one sack during his senior season. Rated as a two-star recruit and the 61st best player in South Carolina by 247Sports.com, Jackson committed to Appalachian State University over competing offers from the University of Charlotte and Georgia Southern University.
Path to the NFL
Jackson joined the Appalachian State Mountaineers football program in 2017 and redshirted his initial season to develop physically and learn the system. The redshirt approach allowed him to enter 2018 with a season of collegiate experience behind the scenes, positioning him for immediate contributions the following year.
During his time at Appalachian State, Jackson steadily climbed the depth chart and the conference rankings. He finished his college career with first-team All-Sun Belt honors and the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021, drawing the attention of NFL scouts entering the draft process. Over 53 games, the Mountaineers compiled a record of 43 wins and 10 losses with Jackson on the roster.
D’Marco Carnelius Jackson Career
Early Career (2022)
The New Orleans Saints selected D’Marco Carnelius Jackson in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 161st overall pick. His selection gave him the opportunity to compete for a roster spot at linebacker on a defense-oriented team with strong coaching. He signed his rookie contract and entered training camp as a developmental outside linebacker prospect with special teams potential.
Jackson was placed on injured reserve on August 9, 2022, which ended his rookie season before it officially began. The injury limited his ability to contribute on the field during his first year in the league, though the Saints retained him on their roster moving forward.
New Orleans Saints Era (2022–2024)
After recovering from injury, D’Marco Carnelius Jackson worked to establish himself within the New Orleans Saints defense over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He appeared in games across both years, gradually earning more defensive snaps and special teams assignments. His progression was steady but limited in terms of major statistical production during his tenure in New Orleans.
Over the course of his time with the Saints, Jackson accumulated 69 total tackles, one sack, one interception, two fumble recoveries, three pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown. On August 26, 2025, the Saints waived Jackson as part of their final roster cuts heading into the new season, ending his three-year stint with the franchise.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
The Chicago Bears claimed D’Marco Carnelius Jackson off waivers on August 27, 2025, the day after his release from New Orleans. The Bears viewed Jackson as a depth piece with special teams experience, and he began the season primarily contributing in that capacity. His role expanded significantly when injuries opened the door for him to take on more defensive responsibilities.
In Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jackson became the Bears starting middle linebacker due to injuries to other players on the depth chart. Serving as the defense play caller, he led the team with 15 tackles in a 31–28 victory over the Steelers. In Week 15, Jackson recorded his first career sack and his first career interception off Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He became the first Bears linebacker to receive the award since Danny Trevathan in 2018. On March 9, 2026, Jackson re-signed with the Bears on a two-year contract worth $7.5 million.
Playing Style and Strengths
D’Marco Carnelius Jackson plays as a linebacker, a position that demands a combination of speed, strength, and football intelligence. His experience as a play caller at the middle linebacker position demonstrates his understanding of defensive schemes and ability to read offensive formations. Jackson has shown versatility, contributing both on special teams and in defensive situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson reached a career milestone in 2025 when he recorded his first career sack and first career interception in the same game against the Cleveland Browns. His NFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition made him the first Chicago Bears linebacker to earn the honor since Danny Trevathan in 2018. His first career start produced 15 tackles and a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12.
D’Marco Carnelius Jackson Family
Family Background
D’Marco Carnelius Jackson is the cousin of former NFL running back Maurice Morris. Jackson grew up in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and maintains his family ties to the Upstate region of the state. His path to the NFL followed a traditional southeastern collegiate football pipeline, beginning at a South Carolina high school and moving through Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina.
Personal Life
Jackson keeps his personal life private and no publicly verified details about a spouse, children, or extended personal relationships are available. He maintains an Instagram presence under the handle dmarcojackson1, though he does not share substantial personal content through the platform.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a turning point in D’Marco Carnelius Jackson NFL career following his transition to the Chicago Bears. Starting the year as a special teams contributor, Jackson saw his defensive responsibilities grow substantially due to injuries that created opportunities at the middle linebacker position. His ascent from a depth role to a starting position reflected both his preparation and the Bears’ need for reliable linebacker depth.
Jackson Week 12 start against the Pittsburgh Steelers produced 15 tackles and served as a defining moment of his season. His Week 15 performance against the Cleveland Browns — featuring both a sack and an interception of Shedeur Sanders — earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition. The Bears decision to re-sign Jackson in March 2026 on a two-year, $7.5 million contract signaled their confidence in his development and his value to the defense moving forward.