Carolina Panthers May Have No Choice But to Extend Mike Jackson

Following a horrific showing by their defense in 2024, Carolina Panthers’ general manager Dan Morgan was determined to fix Ejiro Evero’s unit last offseason. Up front, there were the additions of free-agent defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III, edge rusher Patrick Jones II, and strong safety Tre’von Moehrig.

Via the draft, Morgan added pass-rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, safety Lathan Ransom, and massive defensive tackle Cam Jackson.

There was certainly some improvement, and a healthy Derrick Brown was a huge factor after he missed the final 16 games of 2024. However, there’s still a long way to go.

Carolina Panthers have one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL

Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson — IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Meanwhile, a pair of components in the secondary that were already in place prior to Morgan’s offseason work were cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson. The former was the team’s first-round pick in 2021, while the latter came via trade from the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. Jackson’s first season with the club saw the Panthers allow an NFL-high 35 touchdown passes.

However, the former Miami Hurricane and a fifth-round pick in 2019 by the Dallas Cowboys was a 17-game starter in his first season with Dave Canales’s squad. He finished fourth on the club with 76 tackles, picked off two passes, and led Carolina with 17 passes defensed.

Panthers’ CB Mike Jackson comes off his best NFL season

Matthew Stafford gets picked off by Mike Jackson who takes it back for the pick 6.

What’s going on Stafford? 😬 pic.twitter.com/NQkFkj8p2P
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) November 30, 2025

This past season, Jackson enjoyed a career year that saw him earn Second Team All-Pro honors from Pro Football Focus. Once again, he was a 17-game starter. In 2025, he was fifth on the team with 68 tackles, and finished second on the team behind Horn (5) with four interceptions.

That included a pick-six of eventual NFL MVP Matthew Stafford in the Panthers’ 31-28 regular-season win over the Rams. Also, Jackson once again led Carolina with 19 passes defensed.

Mike Jackson had a PickSix against Stafford in the regular seasonpic.twitter.com/6gqAeAKqHX
— The Sports Geek (@TheSports_Geek) January 11, 2026

Of course, Jackson was also in the starting lineup vs. Sean McVay’s club in what proved to be a heart-breaking 34-31 home loss in the wild card playoffs. He finished the game with three tackles, intercepted Stafford once again, and led Carolina with four passes defensed. Hence, it’s little wonder that PFF has the seven-year pro as its No. 10 cornerback entering the 2026 season.

“In a matter of just two seasons,” explained Dalton Wasserman, “Jackson has gone from an afterthought in Seattle to being arguably the Panthers’ best defensive player. Last season, he earned an 85.8 PFF coverage grade that led all cornerback who played at least 300 coverage snaps…”

Panthers must not let CB Mike Jackson hit the free-agent market in 2027

Mike Jackson and Ejiro Evero — IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Now comes the tricky part. Jackson is in the final year of a two-year, $10.5 million contract he signed in 2025. He’s proven to be quite the bargain for a player who has started every game for the Panthers since his arrival.

Some have suggested that the team use a first-round pick in 2027 to find his replacement should they allow him to test free agency. On the other hand, Carolina Panthers On SI’s Zach Roberts feels that a three-year, $54 million deal would be good for both Jackson and the team.

Keep in mind that Morgan wound up dealing 2024 seventh-round linebacker Michael Barrett to Seattle for Jackson. The former has yet to see any action in an NFL game. It’s turned out to be quite the steal for the Panthers’ GM and the organization as well.

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