Report: Kareem Jackson Re-Joins Broncos on One-Year Deal
Kareem Jackson revealed prior to April's NFL draft that he received a contract offer from the Denver Broncos, who admitted after the draft they were open to bringing back the veteran safety.
Turns out, neither side was lying. The Broncos and Jackson agreed to terms on a one-year deal for the 2023 season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday.
A 2010 first-round pick, Jackson spent his entire career with the Texans before joining the Broncos in 2019. Converting from cornerback, he's started 61 of a possible 66 games opposite All-Pro defensive back Justin Simmons, and served as a co-captain for the past two seasons, playing on similar one-year pacts.
Jackson, 35, is a locker-room leader and proved valuable in run support despite his advanced age — he's collected 232 solo tackles since arriving — but has become a liability against the pass. Pro Football Focus graded Jackson as the No. 52 safety among 88 qualifiers in 2022, including a paltry 60.9 coverage rating.
Jackson's return comes days after Denver used a sixth-round pick on ex-Boise State S JL Skinner, which further muddies a log-jammed corps also featuring Caden Sterns, PJ Locke, and Delarrin Turner-Yell. The club tentatively has Sterns listed as a starter, though he reportedly could miss the start of training camp following a 2022 hip injury.
It's possible that Jackson is employed in an early-down dimebacker role under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, his former position coach in Houston.
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