Broncos HC Sean Payton Lauds Return of Kareem Jackson
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It took a while for the Denver Broncos and veteran safety Kareem Jackson to come to terms on a new contract — his third-straight one-year pact, signed May 8, which ensured a fifth season in the Mile High City.
But the quality of player trumps the quantity of time, and even with the understanding that he could assume a lesser role in 2023, the team welcomed Jackson back with open arms.
“He’s experienced and he’s got really good instincts," head coach Sean Payton said last week. "At his age, it’s impressive he’s been healthy. Then you look at pitch count, what’s the vision and all of those things. That was exciting for us and for him. He’ll be here next week.”
Jackson, as stated, was not present for the start of voluntary Organized Team Activities. Upon his return to the field — no later than June 13, the start of a three-day mandatory minicamp — the 35-year-old likely will take starter's snaps aside Justin Simmons as Caden Sterns' recovery from 2022 hip surgery might bleed into training camp.
Jackson is a locker-room leader and remains valuable in run support but has become a liability against the pass. Pro Football Focus graded him as the No. 52 safety among 88 qualifiers in 2022, including a paltry 60.9 coverage rating.
The expectation, contingent on a healthy Sterns, is that Jackson will get in where he fits in, be it as an early-down defender or a mentor to the younger safeties. Whatever, whenever.
An invaluable utility player to whom the new regime wasn't loyal — yet still were.
"I'm excited to sit down with guys like Sean Payton, and obviously him being my coach now, because it kind of goes to talking about his vision and what he has for the team," Jackson said last week on The Jim Rome Show. "He has a vision. He knows what he wants it to look like. He knows how he wants to go about it."
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