Giants Unlikely To Re-Sign Adoree’ Jackson

Giants cornerback Adoree’ Jackson recently reiterated his desire to sign a new contract with Big Blue, but it does not sound as if the interest is mutual. Per Paul Schwartz of The New York Post, the odds are against a re-up, so Jackson will probably be seeking a new employer when free agency opens next month.

Jackson, who will turn 29 shortly after the 2024 regular season begins, just finished the three-year, $39MM deal he signed with the Giants in March 2021. At the time, the 2017 first-rounder was coming off a generally strong four-year run with the Titans, though his platform campaign in 2020 was marred by a knee injury that limited him to three games. While Tennessee cut him before the fifth-year option of his rookie deal became guaranteed — the 2018 class of first-round picks was the first whose fifth-year options became guaranteed immediately upon being exercised — he was still able to land a notable contract thanks to his previous body of work.

In his first year in New York, Jackson reestablished himself as a solid starting cornerback, earning a strong 74.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus and limiting opposing passers to a 69.0 QB rating (the best mark of his career). He largely replicated that showing in 2022 before muddling through another difficult contract season last year.

Jackson began the 2023 season in the slot to accommodate rookie Tre Hawkins. Hawkins was later benched, allowing Jackson to return to his familiar boundary role. The USC product drew a PFF coverage grade of just 45.9 — by far the lowest of his career — and he allowed a passer rating of 95.5 and a pair of touchdowns as the nearest defender. Between that poor performance, his general lack of play-making — he has just four interceptions in 83 career games — and the fact that he missed 14 contests due to injury over his three-year run with the Giants, New York is understandably prepared to move on.

However, given that he has performed like a quality starter at a premium position for five of his seven years in the NFL, Spotrac believes Jackson could earn a four-year contract worth over $11MM per year on the open market. That still feels a bit optimistic in light of Jackson’s subpar 2023, and PFF projects a much more modest one-year pact worth $7MM (subscription required).

If Jackson is indeed forced to accept a prove-it deal, perhaps he will finally be able to turn in a healthy and productive platform season, which would allow him to hit the open market with more momentum in 2025.