Former Tigers cornerback Donte Jackson is sticking around in Carolina.
The 26-year-old signed an extension with the Panthers on Saturday that will keep him in Charlotte for the next three years on a deal that’s worth $35.1 million dollars, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The new contract will net him an average of $11.7 million per year.
Keeping Jackson around makes a lot of sense for Carolina, which chose to let trade acquisition Stephon Gilmore test free agency this offseason.
Jackson has had a very productive start to his career, starting 51 of the 55 games he’s appeared in since entering the league as a second-round pick back in 2018. His two interceptions in 2021 were a career-low, but he has 12 on his career.
🎬 ACTION
🎬 JACKSON
🎬 BACK pic.twitter.com/juwJF49Cou— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 19, 2022
He only played in 12 games last year as his season was cut short by a groin injury, but he was still solidly productive, totaling his second-best career mark in tackles with 61.
In college at LSU, Jackson was a Second Team All-American and First Team All-SEC selection during his junior season in 2017. He opted to forego his final season of eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL draft.
His career is off to a great start, and now he’s reached his second contract. He should be a fixture in the Panthers’ defensive backfield for the near future.
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