Mike Jackson evolves as a playmaker on Panthers defense

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) celebrates his interception against the Los Angeles Rams with teammate Tre'von Moehrig in their 34-31 loss in the NFC Wild Card round on Jan. 10, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium.

Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson was forced to think about a question after a recent practice:  

Which does he think about more: the dropped interception against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 2 or first career pick-six against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13? 

Jackson paused for a few moments. 

“Hmmmm,” he said before settling on an answer. “The Packers. I ain’t going to lie.” 

Jackson’s reasoning was simple. 

He failed. After the Packers passed on a short field-goal attempt while trailing by seven in the fourth quarter, quarterback Jordan Love attempted a fourth-and-8 pass, rolling right before throwing across the field toward the end zone. Jackson stood alone. The pass was directly at him and an opportunity for a 100-yard touchdown return. He dropped it. 

The Panthers held on to win, but Jackson took the missed attempt personally. He returned with a different mentality. 

Modifying his practice regimen, Jackson dedicating time to catching passes from the throwing machine. 

Entering Saturday’s 31-27 wild card loss to the Rams at Bank of America Stadium, Panthers coach Dave Canales noticed – and appreciated – a difference in Jackson’s routine. 

“That’s the cool thing about Mike, having the humility to work on his craft,” Canales said. “Knowing if something shows up as a weakness or just a part of your game you need to work on, go and attack it. Don’t avoid it. 

“That’s a great way Mike Jack just models that to the rest of the group. If something came up during a game that you need to work on, you should be there before or after practice. It’s really cool that he sees the work paying off because he’s come up with some big plays for us.” 

Panthers fall on final-minute drive 

Few were more significant than his 48-yard interception for a touchdown against the Rams on Nov. 30, helping to propel the Panthers to a 31-28 victory, one of the biggest of the season. 

The interception, which he anticipated from the snap, occurred four weeks after altering his practice habits. The overtime paid dividends. 

“He’s a guy I’ve known for a really long time,” said Canales, who was an assistant in Seattle when Jackson played for the Seahawks. “He’s always been a fierce competitor. He doesn’t say a lot, but he’s so professional in what he does.” 

Jackson started all 34 regular-season games since he was acquired from Seattle prior to the 2024 campaign. This season, while playing in the shadow of Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn, Jackson collected 68 tackles and a league-high 19 passes defended. He grabbed his career-best fourth interception against Seattle in Week 17, triggering a $500,000 contract incentive. 

After the dropped interception at Green Bay, “I took my game to another level,” Jackson said. “Ever since then, I’ve made sure I got on the Jugs (machine) so that don’t happen again.” 

Jackson picked off Stafford again in the third quarter Saturday with the Panthers trailing 20-17. The turnover led to running back Chuba Hubbard scoring on a 3-yard run at 14:34 of the fourth quarter. 

The Panthers, who fell behind 14-0 in the second quarter, earned four of their eight wins when trailing at halftime. In their first postseason game since 2017, the NFC South champions came up short against the Rams. 

Los Angeles quarterback Matt Stafford displayed why he’s the favorite to earn NFL MVP honors this season. After Carolina quarterback Bryce Young connected with wide receiver Jalen Coker on a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown pass with 2:39 remaining in the fourth, Stafford completed 6-of-7 passes, including the winning 19-yard score to tight end Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left. 

Stafford covered all 71 yards on the game-winning drive through the air. 

Is Jackson overlooked? 

When asked if the secondary’s zone coverage allowed Stafford to control the season-ending possession, Jackson took exception. The Panthers were without Horn, who exited with concussion-like symptoms earlier in the fourth. 

“It’s tough,” Jackson said. “We gotta keep playing to try to get done for him. They got armchair quarterbacks, but, at the end the day, they don’t do this for a living.” 

Is Jackson one of the most overlooked players in the NFL? 

“I think so,” Canales said. “I don’t think Mike Jack gets enough praise for the job that he’s done.” 

Signed through next season, Jackson doesn’t mind playing in Horn’s shadow. 

 
“I just play good football,” Jackson said. “I don’t listen to the critics. Everyone is like, ‘They want to throw away from Jaycee.’ That is perfectly fine with me.” 
Added wide receiver Brycen Tremayne: “We all know he’s a dawg.” 

With the 2025 campaign complete, Jackson said he can take pride in matching Denver’s Riley Moss for the most passes defended this season. 
“It’s nice,” Jackson said. “It's a solid stat.”

What's the goal for 2026?

“I would rather lead the league in picks,” he said. 

That question he had no trouble answering. 

Comments