Dane Jackson, newcomers familiar with the Panthers

BUFFALO BILLS

Cornerback Dane Jackson credits Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan with lobbying the Buffalo Bills to draft him in 2020. The two are reunited in Carolina after Jackson signed a two-year free agent deal.

To Dane Jackson, the question was easy to answer.

Why did the free-agent cornerback decide to continue his career with the rebuilding Carolina Panthers? He didn’t have to think too long.

His reply: Dan Morgan, the Panthers’ first-year general manager.

“The biggest thing that led me to Charlotte was Dan and his passion for the way I play the game,” Jackson said during Wednesday’s video call with reporters. “It was like a no-brainer.”   

Familiarity with the Panthers’ organization was a recurring theme during introductory teleconferences with three key free-agent defensive signees, Jackson, A’Shawn Robinson and Josey Jewell.

Robinson, who worked with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero while the two were with the Los Angeles Rams during their Super Bowl LVI title run, was asked why he decided to sign with a team coming off an NFL-low 2-15 record.

The nine-year defensive lineman shot back: “Why not? It feels like home and the scheme fits me perfectly. I want to be around guys who want to win.”

With the Denver Broncos, Jewell worked with Evero, before he joined the Panthers, and new secondary coach Bert Watts last season.

“For me, it was familiarity ... I played my best ball under (those coaches),” Jewell said.

Jackson adds to secondary depth

By coming to a team championed by Morgan, Jackson finds himself, mentally, in an unfamiliar situation. Expected to add secondary depth and compete with Troy Hill for a starting role opposite Jaycee Horn, Jackson doesn’t have to prove himself as the Panthers enter offseason activities.

Morgan was hired along with new coach Dave Canales in January to captain the franchise’s overhaul. Jackson was an early free-agent target.

Entering his fifth season, Jackson, 27, doesn’t have to prove himself to the Panthers’ hierarchy, mainly because of the influence Morgan has had on his career. After competing in 50 college games for Pittsburgh, Jackson was a fringe prospect.

Morgan helped form the Buffalo Bills’ draft strategy in 2020 when he lobbied to take a closer look at Jackson, who compiled pedestrian stats as a senior (43 tackles and one interception). Morgan scouted Jackson and saw a “Dawg,” a term strongly associated with a playing attitude the Panthers wanted while composing the 2024 roster.

Prior to the COVID-19 interrupted draft, Jackson was not aware of the Bills’ interest. The sides never spoke during the pre-draft processes. It wasn’t until he arrived at the team headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y., did he learn of Morgan’s persistence, leading to Jackson’s selection in the seventh round (239th overall).

“Once I got there, I learned how much he advocated for me,” Jackson said. “He’s been a great influence on my career.”    

Now that he’s with the Panthers as an established veteran, Jackson understands he doesn’t have to live with the “prove it” mentality he adopted as a low draft pick where he “grinded up the depth chart.”  

Still, “that’s the story of my life,” said Jackson, who signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract. “It’s second nature. Climbing up the ladder, getting it the hard way. Everything is earned.”

Entering next week’s draft in Detroit, the Panthers reportedly have interest in adding a cornerback prospect. Jackson trusts Morgan and company will continue to build the new-look roster with more “Dawgs.”   

“He’s piecing it together, building a strong team, a sturdy team,” Jackson said. “Everyone in our room are ball players who are here for a reason. I see the type of team he’s building.”

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