After one season with the Carolina Panthers, Miami Hurricanes alum Michael Jackson is projected to become an unrestricted free agent, according to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac. Jackson just completed his sixth season in the NFL. Carolina acquired Jackson for linebacker Michael Barrett in August 2024.
Jackson had his most productive season in 2024 with career-highs of 76 tackles, 17 passes defended, two interceptions and tied his career best with 3.0 tackles for loss. With appearances and starts in all 17 games, Jackson also tied career bests and graded well with Pro Football Focus.
Jackson allowed 64 completions in 97 pass attempts against him for 845 yards and six touchdowns with a 106.5 passer rating against and 263 yards after the catch per Pro Football Reference. Carolina was 23rd in passing yards allowed, 32nd in TD passes given up, 24th in interceptions and 30th in net passing yards allowed (passing yards-sack yards) in 2024.
Jackson began his NFL career as a fifth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2019 NFL Draft. After being waived by Dallas and spending time on the practice squad, Jackson finished his rookie season with the Detroit Lions. Detroit traded Jackson to the New England Patriots ahead of the 2020 season.
Mike Jackson 2024
— IAmWestsideFetti 💙🖤🤟🏾 (@4MR_Fetti) January 16, 2025
🟡 68.1 Coverage Grade
- 97.4 Allowed Passer Rate
- 739 Allowed Receiving
- 17 PBUs (2nd)
- 2 INTs | 4 Allowed TDs
- 13 Stops#Panthers fans, you keeping MJ? pic.twitter.com/sGs2Le9zqg
"Acquired from Seattle before the 2024 season, Jackson played almost every snap for the Panthers, compiling 76 tackles, 2 interceptions, and strong coverage percentage grades as an outside CB. He’ll be a value option for a team not looking to swing too big this spring, projecting toward a 3 year, $24M contract in our system."Michael Ginnitti, Spotrac
In 2021, Seattle signed Jackson to its practice squad. Jackson played in only four games during his first three seasons in the NFL. Jackson got his chance to contribute in 2022, starting all 17 games for Seattle. Jackson had 75 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, one quarterback hit, one interception and 12 pass breakups in his first full season.
In 2023, Jackson played in all 17 games for Seattle, but with only four starts. Jackson played 94 percent of the defensive snaps with Seattle in 2022, 40 in 2023 and 99 with Carolina in 2024. Jackson appears to be heading into a good offseason for him to be a free agent.