William Jackson III - Pro Football Rumors

Steelers To Acquire CB William Jackson From Commanders

November 1st, 2022 at 1:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers have pulled off another trade before today’s deadline, this time on the defensive side of the ball. Pittsburgh is acquiring cornerback William Jackson from the Commanders, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). In follow-up, he tweets that a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick is heading to Washington in exchange for a conditional seventh-rounder in the same year.

Jackson, 30, had long been the subject of trade speculation. The veteran was reported to be on the lookout for a change of scenery, leading to his name being included in discussions between Washington and interested teams. In recent days, however, signs began to point to no deal materializing in time, which would have led to a different parting of ways.

Earlier today it was reported that the Commanders were prepared to release the former first-rounder in the event an acceptable deal didn’t materialize. Instead, he will now head back to the ACF North, with the Steelers picking up the remaining $2.75MM in guaranteed money on Jackson’s deal. Another two years remain on it after this season, though a move aimed at lowering his 2023 cap hit ($15.75MM) will surely be coming this offseason.

Jackson began his career with the Bengals, operating as a full-time starter for three-plus seasons. His performances there helped pave the way for his big-money deal last offseason, but things have changed quickly regarding his situation in the nation’s capital. He has gone from an every-down defender to a healthy scratch in a matter of weeks, making this move a more minor one from Washington’s perspective than his contract would suggest. The Commanders will move forward with the likes of Rachad Wildgoose, Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste heading their CB room.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will see another veteran added to their secondary. Jackson has plenty of starting experience, but could also fill a rotational role alongside Ahkello Witherspoon, Levi Wallace and Cameron Sutton. The Steelers will provide Jackson the fresh start he was likely to receive via free agency anyway, while bringing in useful depth on their defense.

Commanders Prepared To Cut CB William Jackson

November 1st, 2022 at 10:11am CST by Sam Robinson

The Commanders are continuing with efforts to unload William Jackson, but if they cannot find a taker, they are prepared to move on either way.

Barring a trade, Washington intends to cut Jackson, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Jackson has not played since Week 4, when Washington benched him. The seventh-year cornerback is tied to the three-year, $40.5MM contract the team gave him in 2021.

If Washington moves on after today’s 3pm trade deadline, Jackson hits waivers. That would seem immaterial here, considering no team has — as of yet — wanted to pony up an asset to take on Jackson’s contract. It is worth speculating how much of Jackson’s $5MM base salary the Commanders are willing to take on to move him. Odds are, the team is willing to pay most of it.

The likelier scenario is the ex-Bengals first-rounder hits free agency. While Jackson’s initial crack at free agency produced an eight-figure-per-year AAV, the second stint stands to be quieter. A mid-October report indicated teams had shown interest in acquiring Jackson, but with nothing transpiring hours ahead of the deadline, potential suitors may be OK with pursuing the veteran corner in free agency. Teams are indeed waiting out the Commanders, ESPN.com’s John Keim tweets.

Jackson, who turned 30 last week, has made 64 career starts. He is viewed as a better fit for a man-based defense and excelled at points during his Cincinnati tenure. In 2020, he held quarterbacks to a collective 51.4% completion rate as the closest defender in coverage. That season provided a nice platform to a free agency payday. This season, that number spiked to 70.8% at 7.9 yards per target. Pro Football Focus rates Jackson just outside the top 90 among corners in 2022.

The Commanders have won three straight, having played ex-waiver claim Rachad Wildgoose more alongside starters Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste. The team would be hit with a whopping $13MM in dead money by cutting Jackson — assuming no team claims his contract.

Trade Notes: Gesicki, Hawks, Commanders

October 20th, 2022 at 8:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki recently emerged as a potential trade candidate. The tight end doesn’t seem overly focused on the latest rumblings, telling reporters that he hasn’t asked the front office for clarity about the report.

“No,” Gesicki responded when asked if he’s reached out to the Dolphins (h/t Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post). “I mean, I think I just kind of like I said, I just kind of go about my business. Whatever happens, happens. And I’ve been here for five years now. I love it here. I’m happy to be here. And if I stay here, which I mean, I would assume, I would. I’m excited to continue to be here, make plays and you know, help the team win and move forward and all that kind of stuff for the rest of season.”

Gesicki is coming off his best game of the season, with the tight end hauling in six catches for 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Vikings. However, the 27-year-old has been limited to only 101 yards in his other five appearances, with receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle commanding the bulk of the targets. Despite his inconsistent offensive role, Gesicki made it clear that he hasn’t asked for a trade.

“Nah,” Gesicki said when asked if he’s requested a trade.” I mean, I think these coaches also understand what I’m capable of. And I think, you know, Sunday was a good, you know, showing of that just, you know, a couple of opportunities to go out there and make plays. And that was my thing. I don’t know when the opportunity is gonna come, but I gotta keep preparing as if they’re gonna come.”

More trade notes from around the NFL…

The Seahawks have made cornerback Sidney Jones available, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. While the organization would prefer to keep the veteran, they’re willing to listen to offers with Jones buried on the depth chart. Michael Jackson and Tariq Woolen are holding down the fort as the outside cornerbacks, and Tre Brown will eventually work his way back into the lineup. Jones is playing on a one-year deal following a career season in 2021. In 16 games (11 starts) for Seattle, the cornerback compiled 66 tackles and 10 passes defended.
Speaking of Seattle, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times can’t envision the Seahawks making a significant move at the trade deadline. While Seattle has made deadline moves in the past, the team currently seems focused on building their core from within. The team also has little cap space to work with, making a big splash unlikely.
Following his benching in Week 5, it was reported that Commanders cornerback William Jackson could be looking for a fresh start elsewhere. However, the defensive back denied reports that he wants to be traded (per ESPN’s John Keim on Twitter). Jackson was ruled out for Week 6 with a back injury, and it sounds like he’s unlikely to play in Week 7. Jackson is attached to a three-year, $40.5MM deal, but teams have expressed interest ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline.
The Panthers were planning to cut Robbie Anderson before they found a taker in the Cardinals, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter). Considering the prospect of just eating his salary, the Panthers made out well in the deal, securing a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick from Arizona.

Commanders Discussing CB William Jackson In Trades

October 13th, 2022 at 10:28am CST by Sam Robinson

The Commanders benched high-priced cornerback William Jackson in Week 5, and the sides could be moving toward a separation soon.

Jackson would prefer a fresh start elsewhere, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, and the Commanders have begun discussing the veteran defender in trades. Jackson is attached to a three-year, $40.5MM deal, but teams have expressed interest ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline.

Several teams have shown interest, per NFL.com, despite Jackson having not lived up to the contract he signed last year. The former Bengals first-round pick is signed through 2023. A team acquiring Jackson would be on the hook for $3.8MM in 2022 base salary. Jackson’s contract calls for a $9.25MM base in 2023; that figure is nonguaranteed.

Jackson, 29, said a back injury affected his play in Week 5, when Washington benched him for Benjamin St-Juste, though Ron Rivera did not cite that issue when addressing why the seventh-year cover man was yanked. Jackson (15 Week 5 snaps) had played nearly every defensive snap for the Commanders in Weeks 1, 2 and 4 but was inactive in Week 3. The injury issue stands to limit Jackson’s trade value, but if he is no longer in the Commanders’ plans, the team appears prepared to cut its losses and aim for a late-round asset.

The Bengals faced a potential franchise tag decision in 2021, with Jackson and Carl Lawson‘s contracts up, but they decided to cuff neither defender. Lawson ended up with the Jets, while Rivera and Washington DC Jack Del Rio viewed him as a fit in Washington. Jackson is eyeing a move to a defense that plays more man-to-man looks, per NFL.com. In a limited sample size, Jackson is allowing a 70.8 completion percentage as the closest defender in coverage this season — a mark well north of his previous work in Cincinnati and Washington.

Despite the presences of Jackson and Kendall Fuller, the Commanders ranked 29th against the pass last year. They are 19th so far in 2022, though Chase Young‘s absence has undoubtedly affected this defense. If Washington cannot find a trade taker this year, Jackson could end up a 2023 cut. Even then, it would cost the Commanders $9MM in dead money to jettison Jackson. Though, a post-June 1 cut distinction — like the one the team used to separate from Landon Collins‘ $14MM-per-year deal this year — would reduce that figure.

Jackson, who missed his entire rookie season due to injury, has 64 career starts on his resume. The ex-Houston Cougar has five career interceptions and 51 pass breakups. Pro Football Focus grades him as a top-20 cornerback during his final Cincinnati season (2020) but slotted him outside the top 75 at the position last season.

William Jackson III: “Blessing” To Leave Bengals

April 2nd, 2021 at 1:14pm CST by Zachary Links

William Jackson III is glad to be done with the Bengals. Now with the Washington Football Team, the standout cornerback says it was a “blessing” to leave Cincinnati.

“Cincinnati, they got some crude fans, man. You know misery loves company. When nothing (is) going good, everybody’s not doing any good,” Jackson said (via 106.7 The Fan). “(WFT) has been nothing but supportive since Day 1. The Bengals, on the other hand, them dudes – they wonder why they’re not winning. I’m happy I’m out of that thing man. It’s a blessing to get away and I wish them the best, but Washington – let’s go from here.”

Jackson spent four up-and-down seasons with the Bengals, but saved his best for last. After a so-so 2019, he notched 45 stops, eleven passes defensed, and one interception in his platform year. Then, he parlayed that into a three-year, $40MM deal to join up with Washington and aid them in their bid to return to the playoffs.

The cornerback drew lots of interest on the open market, but his price tag was too rich for the Bengals’ blood. Instead, they pivoted to former Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (at about half the price of Jackson’s deal) and ex-Steeler Mike Hilton (for just over 50% of WJIII’s contract).

Washington To Sign William Jackson III

March 16th, 2021 at 9:10pm CST by Rory Parks

The Washington Football Team is signing former Bengals corner William Jackson III, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that it will be a three-year, $42MM pact with $26MM in guaranteed money.

That puts Jackson in the top-10 of the cornerback market in terms of AAV. The 2016 first-rounder has proven himself as a strong cover corner over his first few years in the league, and though he has yet to make a Pro Bowl, he could receive those honors in the near future. He missed his entire rookie campaign due to injury and started just five games in his second professional season, but from 2017-20, he tallied 41 passes defensed and three picks, and he graded as Pro Football Focus’ 20th-best CB (out of 121 qualifiers) last season.

He will serve as a worthy replacement for Ronald Darby — who agreed to a free agent deal with the Broncos yesterday — and will team with Kendall Fuller to provide WFT with a strong starting tandem at the cornerback position. The club was terrific against the pass last season, so maintaining a quality 1-2 punch on the boundaries was a key part of its push for back-to-back playoff appearances.

Although Jackson had previously expressed a desire to remain in Cincinnati on a long-term basis, the writing was on the wall when the club agreed to sign Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie earlier today. Jackson is probably better than both players, but Hilton and Awuzie’s combined AAV is about the same as Jackson’s, so the Bengals saw an opportunity to acquire two quality starters for the price of one.

A.J. Green Very Unlikely To Be Back With Bengals?

February 24th, 2021 at 1:51pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

When he last spoke about his future, A.J. Green made it clear he knew there was a chance he was playing his last games in Cincinnati. It sounds like it’s no longer just a chance, it’s a foregone conclusion.

While going through the Bengals’ upcoming free agent class, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes that there’s just a ‘one percent’ chance of Green coming back. “The hope for all involved is Green can resurrect his remarkable career. It just won’t be in Cincinnati,” he writes. This isn’t exactly a shock, as this has been the direction things have been trending, and there was even some speculation back in October that he wanted to be traded although the wideout denied it.

If it is indeed the end, the fourth overall pick of the 2011 draft had an incredible run in Cincy. He’s set all sorts of franchise records while making seven Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. He had a reduced role this past season, catching only 47 passes for 523 yards in 16 games. Now 32, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of interest he gets on the open market.

Although he doesn’t treat it with nearly as much certainty, Dehner also doesn’t think cornerback William Jackson III is too likely to return. He thinks one or more teams will be willing to give him a big contract and “the Bengals won’t be one of them.” Jackson has started at least 13 games in each of the past three seasons, and had 11 pass breakups in 2020.

Bengals Rejected Trades For William Jackson III

June 5th, 2020 at 12:49pm CST by Zachary Links

With one year left on his contract, Bengals cornerback William Jackson III is hoping to take off his fantastic blazer and stay a while. The University of Houston product tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle that he wants to sign a multi-year extension with the only NFL team he’s ever known.

“They picked up my fifth-year option, so that was a blessing,” said Jackson. “I just go out there and have fun and let everything play out. I love it in Cincinnati. I’m comfortable. They’ve got a great coaching staff and great teammates around me. I would love to come back. Right now, I’m just focused and ready to get the season started. One thing you can control is when people aren’t watching is what you do. I come in, put the work in and it will pay off on Sundays.”

It’s not clear whether the two sides have gotten deep into talks, but they’ve probably been delayed due to the pandemic. It does sound like the Bengals intend to keep him, however. Last year, they picked up the former first-rounder’s fifth-year option for 2020, worth $9.6MM. And, before October’s trade deadline, the Bengals received and rejected trade inquiries on Jackson from other clubs.

The lightning-fast corner was slowed by a shoulder injury towards the end of the year and placed on injured reserve. The recovery was painful, but Jackson says he’s now “fully healthy and ready to go” as he enters his walk year.

Bengals To Place William Jackson III On IR

December 26th, 2019 at 12:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Bengals cornerback William Jackson will finish the year on the injured reserve list. The team is expected to shut Jackson down this week so that he can start rehabbing his injured shoulder, as Geoff Hobson of the team website tweets.

Jackson, 27, has recorded 37 stops and one interception in 14 games (13 starts) this season. Unfortunately, the shoulder injury that forced him out of the Bengals’ narrow loss to the Dolphins last week will also keep him from playing in the season finale against the Browns.

Jackson kept a lid on Odell Beckham Jr. in the team’s Week 14 matchup against Cleveland, but the Bengals will have to find coverage help elsewhere as they aim for their second win of 2019. Whether they win or lose, the Bengals will own the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft, so they have that to look forward to, at least.

Jackson, the No. 24 overall pick in the 2016 draft, is set to play out 2020 on his fifth-year option, which will carry a $9.594MM cap number. His salary is guaranteed for injury, so he’ll be secure regardless of what happens from here.

Bengals Activate CB Darqueze Dennard

October 18th, 2019 at 2:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a long hiatus, Darqueze Dennard is ready to return for the Bengals. The team, which re-signed the former first-round cornerback in March, activated him on Friday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com tweets.

Dennard will take Cordy Glenn‘s roster spot, with the Bengals having suspended their left tackle. This will provide a key cornerback reinforcement for the 0-6 team, especially with both Dre Kirkpatrick and William Jackson III out against the Jaguars.

Prior to re-upping with the Bengals, Dennard underwent a left knee surgery that was believed to be minor at the time. But he ended up missing the first six games of the season, due to the stay on Cincinnati’s PUP list.

The Bengals re-signed Dennard, their 2014 first-round pick, to a one-year deal worth $4.5MM. He will now have a chance to make an impression in another contract year.