Panthers starting CB just made a major announcement that will play a role in whether or not he stays in Carolina after the 2026 season
Mike Jackson is entering into a contract season with the Carolina Panthers.
The Carolina Panthers had multiple impact players that stepped up during the 2025 season and helped the team clinch an NFC South title and the final spot in the NFC playoffs. One player that many didn’t appreciate enough for his impact last season was cornerback Mike Jackson.
Playing alongside back-to-back Pro Bowl selection Jaycee Horn at the position, Jackson didn’t get a lot of the respect he deserved. Yet, together, Horn and Jackson proved to be a top cornerback duo after combining for nine interceptions and 27 pass deflections.
While some on the outside didn’t give Jackson his flowers for the way he played, the Panthers showed their appreciation before the 2025 season by signing him to a two-year, $14.5 million extension. He earned that money in the first year of the new deal and now has another deal on the way after 2026.
Mike Jackson changes agents going into another contract season with the Panthers
After the 2025 season ended, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan made sure to address Jackson’s future with the team and the potential of inking another deal before his current contract expires following the 2026 season.
“We extended Mike Jack last year, and again, that’s something me and Brandt [Tilis] have to talk about,” Morgan explained. “He’ll have one year left on his deal this year, so it’s something that me and Brandt will talk through, and we’ll come up with a strategy.”
Jackson just turned 29-years-old in January and another strong season like he had in 2025 can give him solid ground going into negotiations. And he’ll have new representation this time around after joining Athletes First, the same group that helped Horn land a four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Panthers that made him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history not to mention the other top defensive backs they’ve helped such as Derek Stingley Jr., A.J. Terell, and Jalen Ramsey.
Spotrac’s market value projects Jackson can earn $13.4 million per season on his next contract, a major pay bump that he certainly earned this past season. Playing at that kind of level again during the 2026 season will only confirm that belief.
We’ll see if his play will be enough for the Panthers to explore paying that kind of money retain one of the top cornerback duos in the league, or if the Panthers prefer to find a cheaper replacement in the draft and let Jackson walk in free agency next offseason.
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