Broncos S Kareem Jackson 'Definitely' Wants to Play for a Contender
Football is an all-encompassing love affair for veteran safety Kareem Jackson, who has called the Denver Broncos home for the past four years. There's a reason the former Alabama star has established a 13-year NFL career.
Those miles put on Jackson's odometer didn't stop the soon-to-be 35-year-old from being featured in all 17 games for the Broncos in 2022. Entering free agency, Jackson firmly believes he has enough left in his tank to play this coming season, as he works towards fulfilling his long-standing goal of playing in the NFL for a remarkable 15 years.
"The window of opportunity as far as playing this game is not big," Jackson admitted to Good Morning Football on Friday. "I've always said as long as I can go run around and play at a high level, I'll play. Going into Year 14, I set a goal for myself to play 15, and I've been sticking to that."
Jackson will dip his toe into the free-agent market once again, starting next week, but he wants to do so on his own terms. After four losing seasons spent in the Mile High City, it's hardly surprising that chasing an elusive Super Bowl ring to crown his career is high up on Jackson's list of priorities.
"Definitely, definitely. Year 14, obviously would love for the payday to be right," Jackson told GMFB. "I mean, I understand age and all that stuff, which is to me crazy when it comes to all that. If you're playing at a high level, you're playing at a high level, regardless of your age. I mean, definitely, I'd definitely love a chance to win a ring. 14 years, played in the playoffs a couple times, but to not have been in the playoffs the last four years, I would definitely love to be in a team that's a contender."
Another change of regime in Denver likely ends any realistic ambitions Jackson had the return to the Broncos. Prior to last season, he made a point of sticking close to the team from an emotional and geographical perspective, which facilitated his return to the Broncos on a one-year, $5 million deal. The added bonus was that Jackson didn't have to pack his bags and move on.
As much Jackson was determined to not uproot his family from Denver last year, that boat has likely sailed this time. So in a classic savvy veteran move, Jackson is signaling to genuine NFL contenders that he's more than willing to lace them up again elsewhere.
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