The Broncos and Kareem Jackson have agreed on three contracts since the 2019 offseason. Each deal commenced later in the year. Although the veteran defensive back is going into his age-35 season, the team remains interested in continuing this partnership.
Denver extended an offer to re-sign Jackson, Mike Klis of 9News reports. The four-year Broncos safety starter, however, appears to be looking for a slightly better proposal. He has yet to re-sign, though Klis adds Jackson has spoken with Sean Payton. This comes after GM George Paton, who signed off on the past two Jackson deals, expressed interest in another accord last month.
While Jackson’s initial Broncos agreement occurred weeks after Vance Joseph‘s firing from his head coach post, the returning Denver DC coached Jackson during his three-year run as Texans DBs coach in the early 2010s. Joseph was in Houston under then-DC Wade Phillips from 2011-13, which covered much of Jackson’s rookie contract. The Broncos still employ Pro Bowler Justin Simmons from their Joseph HC period; bringing back Jackson would supply Joseph with more familiarity as he returns.
Jackson, who turned 35 earlier this month, signed his first Broncos deal early during the 2019 free agency period. After the team cut bait on the three-year, $33MM accord in 2021, the parties regrouped on a one-year, $5MM pact. In April 2022, Jackson re-signed on a one-year deal worth $2MM. This offer likely resembles the 2022 contract.
Working as one of the league’s oldest non-quarterbacks or special-teamers last season, Jackson started all 17 games for another Denver defense that ran into extensive injury trouble. He has made 61 starts as a Bronco and 185 overall. The 2010 first-rounder has made a successful transition from cornerback to safety, with he and Simmons serving as one of the NFL’s longest-tenured back-line duos.
Pro Football Focus ranked Jackson just outside the top 50 at the position last season. The Alabama product finished with a career-high 94 tackles, however, and added two fumble recoveries. Former fifth-round pick Caden Sterns has filled in for Simmons and Jackson as an injury replacement and would seemingly be in line to take over as a full-timer if the Broncos cannot re-sign Jackson. But following Simmons’ return from an early-season thigh injury, Sterns went down with a season-ending hip malady. Sterns is recovering from hip surgery, and Klis adds the third-year defender may not be ready by training camp.