Cornerback Mike Jackson wasn’t on our radar only three weeks prior to the start of the 2024 regular season. Heck, he wasn’t even on the Carolina Panthers’ roster at that point.
But the veteran defender, in the midst of what’s been a pleasantly surprising campaign, might have made himself an offseason priority for the organization.
While wrapping up Wednesday’s practice, head coach Dave Canales talked about Jackson—who is set to become a free agent this spring. Canales was asked if he hopes to see the 27-year-old back in the fold for 2025.
“I mean, we’ll look at all the guys and evaluate that,” he replied. “He’s done a fantastic job. I think Jaycee [Horn] and Mike are like the No. 1 tandem in terms of pass breakups per attempts.
“So, he’s certainly come up big for us in a few games. Think about the Saints game—fourth-down play he makes to end the game. I think about the Cardinals game—two knockdowns with Marvin Harrison Jr. over there on the right side. And kinda Rolodexing just some of the different ways he’s showed up. Sweet TFL (tackle for a loss) in the game last weekend, where they had a toss crack for minus three.”
The Panthers acquired Jackson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks back on Aug. 22. Carolina sent Seattle linebacker Michael Barrett, their 2024 seventh-round pick, in exchange for the experienced corner—something they desperately needed heading out of the summer.
Jackson has gone on to start in each of the team’s 16 games this season, amassing 72 combined tackles, an interception and a career-high 14 passes defensed.
Canales continued.
“And just the style of him, the consistency of Mike,” he added. “I’ve known him for a long time. He’s exactly the type of people we want to be here with the culture, the attitude and the professionalism.”