Deep into the post-draft wave of free agency, many veterans still on the market are facing a shrinking number of suitors as they look for their best fit ahead of training camp. Cornerback William Jackson falls into that category, but his wait to land a new opportunity may not last much longer.
Jackson is in full health in anticipation of summer offseason programs, as noted (on Twitter) by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Wilson adds that Jackson has received interest from “multiple teams,” and that he is evaluating his options with the aim of finding the right fit to continue his career. The 30-year-old played in four games with the Commanders last season.
Jackson finished the season in Pittsburgh, though, after they traded for him at the deadline. That move came after his tenure in Washington ended in unspectacular fashion, especially given the lucrative deal (three years, $40.5M) he had been playing on. The Steelers’ willingness to trade for him prevented a release, but Jackson never ended up seeing any game time in Pittsburgh due to an injury.
Facing the possibility of saving $12.75M in cap space, the Steelers made the expected move of releasing the former first-rounder in March. Cornerback was a position of need for Pittsburgh this offseason, but their lack of interest in signing Jackson to a prove-it type deal makes it little surprise that he still finds himself on the open market. At full health, though, he could prove to be an effective pickup this late into the roster-building part of the calendar.
Jackson has started 64 of 74 career games, and he recorded a career-best 45 tackles along with 11 pass breakups and a pair of interceptions in 2020, his fourth and final season with the Bengals. A first-team role likely wouldn’t await him on a new team given the recent deals dished out by CB-needy teams to the likes of Rock Ya-Sin and Shaquill Griffin. Jackson may have to compete with fellow veteran Marcus Peters to be the next notable corner to sign a contract, but the lack of other available options could help his market value as he looks to get his career back on track in a new setting.
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