Don't Rule Out Broncos Re-Signing Veteran Safety Kareem Jackson

The complexities that accompany veteran players like Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson potentially departing can be underestimated. Jackson's recent admission that he wants to play for a contender may be a roadblock if the Broncos remain interested.

That being said, how competitive the Broncos could become under new head coach Sean Payton might find Jackson itching once again to see a particular area code popping up on his phone.

"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," Jackson said back in March.

Remember that there is notable past history at play here as only last season, Broncos GM George Paton felt that some veteran insurance was required at the safety position. Second-year prospect Caden Sterns was being incrementally moved into the lineup, but Jackson was still deemed a valuable presence.

For his part, Jackson remained open to returning to the Mile High City and ultimately signed a one-year deal to return. Subsequently, Sterns missed significant time with a severe hip injury, so the decision to bring Jackson back into the fold last year was a prescient one, especially after he played in all 17 games.

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Sterns' recovery status could become a factor that accelerates exploratory contract talks, which have been rumored to have happened between Jackson's reps and Paton. In the meantime, the Broncos may have identified Syracuse cornerback Garrett Williams as a player of interest — particularly if they were looking for a project to convert into a safety.

Standing at six feet tall and weighing 192 pounds, the former three-time All-ACC defensive back has been projected as a safety in the pro ranks by many draftniks. Unfortunately, injury concerns hang over the 21-year-old after he suffered a particularly untimely ACL tear last season, but that hasn't deterred the Broncos from inviting the former Syracuse captain in for a top-30 visit next week.

When you factor in that the Broncos don't get to pick until the third round (No. 67 overall), they find themselves actively looking for blue-chip prospects that might fall to them. If the Broncos were indeed detecting safety traits in Williams' football DNA, then who would be better to learn from than the savvy veteran Jackson?

After all, Jackson made the successful conversion from cornerback to safety earlier in his career, which came after he was already an established force. He has also been around long enough that most every coach knows what the 35-year-old brings to the table, so it's safe to assume that Coach Payton has long since read the book on the big-hitting safety.

Circumstances and timing could be everything if Jackson and the Broncos decide to reconcile once again, but it would be prudent to rule out nothing at this stage in proceedings.

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