South Charlotte Today

Mike Jackson, a veteran cornerback, has secured his future with the Carolina Panthers by agreeing to a new two-year contract. Jackson joined the team last year under urgent circumstances, arriving just before the regular season began. Despite this late start, he quickly felt at home in Carolina.

Reflecting on his experience over the past eight months, Jackson said it was the welcoming environment that solidified his decision to stay. "I kind of knew just at the end of the season," he remarked about realizing that Carolina was where he wanted to be. He emphasized how well he was treated and how they played as key factors in his decision.

Jackson appreciated small gestures from the team, such as being allowed to wear number 2 on his jersey, a request that held personal significance for him. This gesture came after he asked general manager Dan Morgan if it was possible to switch numbers following training camp cuts.

Initially brought in due to an injury to Dane Jackson, Mike Jackson filled a critical role for the Panthers and made it permanent by maintaining his starting position throughout the season. He played 99 percent of defensive snaps and formed a strong partnership with fellow cornerback Jaycee Horn.

Horn praised Jackson's intelligence and film analysis skills: "I've been saying all year he's one of the smartest guys I've been around." Their collaboration resulted in them leading NFL cornerback tandems with 30 passes defensed between them.

As both players look forward to another season together, they are optimistic about building on their success from last year. "Last year was just the foundation," Jackson stated. With more time to work together in the offseason, both players aim to enhance their performance further.