Commanders To Re-Sign DE Drake Jackson

Jackson has agreed to a new one-year deal, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Instead of reaching free agency next week, he will therefore spend the 2026 campaign with the Commanders. A torn patellar tendon cut short the second-rounder’s 2023 season and left sidelined for all of 2024.

Jackson was cut by the 49ers last spring, and his value was obviously rather low at the time. Multiple visits were arranged, but in the end he signed a $1.1MM Commanders pact. The USC product was immediately moved to injured reserve upon arrival to buy additional time for recovery. Jackson was eventually activated and was able to make his Washington debut in mid-December; he totaled three appearances in 2025.

Over that span, Jackson only played 61 defensive snaps and managed just three tackles. As such, this latest pact will no doubt be at or near the league minimum. He will look to carve out a more significant role with Washington moving forward, something which would of course increase his market value but also offer a needed boost to the team’s defense. The Commanders finished mid-pack in terms of sacks in 2025 but struggled in a number of other areas.

Numerous coaching changes have recently taken place as a result, including the arrival of Daronte Jones as Washington’s new defensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see how Jackson, 25 next month, will be used in Jones’ scheme. A strong showing would help get his NFL career back on track and aid the Commanders’ efforts to rebound from a disappointing showing this past year.