Dane Jackson will not stay in Buffalo on a second contract. The free agent corner has agreed to a deal with the Panthers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. 
Carolina was prepared to move on from veteran corner Donte Jackson by releasing him. Instead, a trade with the Steelers was worked out which will see the team acquire Diontae Johnson in exchange for Jackson. In need of a starting-caliber replacement in the secondary, Dane Jackson will provide an intriguing option on that front.
The latter will receive up to $14.5MM on a two-year deal, Pelissero adds. Given those terms, Jackson will be counted on as a starter with Carolina. The former seventh-rounder started a total of 28 games across his four seasons in Buffalo. That figure includes 14 starts in 2020, a season in which he recorded two interceptions and 12 pass deflections.
The 27-year-old saw his defensive snap share drop to 50% last season, and his ball production suffered as a result. Jackson also endured the worst season of his career with respect to coverage performance in 2023. He allowed a 74.3% completion percentage and a passer rating of 109.6 as the nearest defender. While Jackson drew a career-high PFF grade in coverage, improvement in his overall play will no doubt be a goal for the Panthers.
Buffalo moved on from Tre’Davious White earlier this month, and the team also cut veteran safety Jordan Poyer in a cost-shedding move. Jackson’s departure will add further to the turnover seen in the Bills’ secondary. The Panthers, meanwhile, will seek to use Jackson as a first-teamer opposite Jaycee Horn moving forward as they look to replicate their strong play against the pass from last season.
Let me get this straight. The hometown Steelers trade with the team that they sent his predecessor to just to acquire his services. Feel like Dane is better