Opportunity knocked this spring for Dane Jackson, who saw Carolina Panthers waiting on the other side of his door.
The fifth-year cornerback spoke with reporters following Monday’s outing of training camp. Jackson, who signed with the Panthers on a two-year deal worth up to $14.5 million this offseason, was asked if he had other suitors before making his decision.
“There was a few teams,” Jackson replied. “But, like I said, I let my agent handle that pretty much, and I don’t get too caught up in that. I just wanna play football. So whoever was the best opportunity, and it was here. So I’m just happy to be here.”
That opportunity could see Jackson as the defense’s No. 2 at the cornerback position. If so, it’ll be a step up in responsibility for the 27-year-old—who wasn’t a regular starter in his first four seasons with the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo, though, is where Jackson crossed paths with Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan. And according to Jackson, Morgan had an impact on his move down south.
“Just the talks between my agent and Dan, whoever else he was talking to, just made me feel comfortable,” he said about the appeal of Carolina. “It made me feel like they wanted me and that’s what a player wants in this league. They wanna feel wanted, to make a place home and go out there and give it their all.”
