6 Carolina Panthers players who’ve already earned a payday in 2022
By Dean Jones
Donte Jackson – Carolina Panthers CB
This was the biggest season of Donte Jackson’s career by a considerable margin. It’s been a solid if not spectacular time with the Carolina Panthers so far for the cornerback, who demonstrated shutdown capabilities when finally ridding himself of a turf toe problem last time around.
Hopes were high Jackson could take that next leap. But the former LSU stud might just be exceeding anybody’s wildest expectations.
Jackson has been a revelation within a cornerback room that’s dominated throughout the campaign. His ability in coverage remains at a very high standard, with his tackling in run support and in the open field coming on an untold amount for good measure.
Another area of Jackson’s contribution that’s developed is leadership. The 2018 second-round selection has quickly emerged as a player who others look to for advice and motivation – a responsibility he is taking extremely seriously in the role of team captain.
The Panthers have plenty of mouths to feed regarding contract extensions in 2022.
Make no mistake, Jackson should be one of their top priorities.
Carolina is blessed with multiple options at the position if Jackson does accept a big-money move elsewhere. But the Panthers have paid the price for letting cornerbacks leave in their prime before and the new regime cannot let it happen again.