The Panthers are making a strategic move to secure a key player they can’t afford to lose in free agency: their underrated cornerback.
Carolina Panthers’ general manager Dan Morgan had a challenging first year on the job, with most of his decisions not yielding positive results. His first draft pick appears to be a bust, and his second pick has played only three games by 2026. Without Bryce Young’s strong second-half performance, the roster would have little to look forward to.
However, one standout move was a quiet trade made near the end of the preseason. With Dane Jackson sidelined by injury, Morgan traded seventh-round linebacker Michael Barrett to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for veteran cornerback Mike Jackson. Aside from the major upgrades at guard, this trade might have been the best decision the Panthers made all year. Jackson quickly proved he was worth far more than just a late-round draft pick.
According to CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, Jackson is the one free agent the Panthers can’t afford to lose. He played exceptionally well as a full-time starter in 2024, logging 17 pass breakups. With not many difference-makers on the roster, keeping Jackson should be an easy decision. Since Jackson had been on a relatively low salary as a restricted free agent with Seattle, re-signing him wouldn’t break the bank and would give Carolina a solid starter at a crucial position without spending too much.
Re-signing Jackson could also delay the need to draft a cornerback for another year or two, allowing the Panthers to focus on other areas of their defense, like safety, edge, and interior defensive line. Failing to retain Jackson would be a mistake the Panthers can’t afford to make.
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