Former Bills CB Announces NFL Retirement at 29

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Former Bills CB Announces NFL Retirement at 29

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Jul 28, 2026 2:48 PM ET

Dane Jackson was never the biggest name in Buffalo's secondary, but he carved out a role with the Bills after arriving as a late-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Selected 239th overall out of Pittsburgh, Jackson gradually worked his way up the depth chart and earned regular playing time over the next few seasons.

His role continued to grow in 2021, when he broke into the starting lineup and finished the year with 41 tackles and six passes defended. Jackson followed that with the best season of his career in 2022, starting 14 games while recording 57 tackles, two interceptions and 12 passes defended as Buffalo dealt with injuries in the secondary.

Jackson remained with the Bills through the 2023 season before signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2024. He appeared in nine games there, then returned to Buffalo the following year, although his second stint with the team lasted just three games.

Former Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane JacksonUSA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

His NFL career now appears to have reached its end. The Jacksonville Jaguars placed Jackson on the reserve/retired list Tuesday before NFL reporter Ari Meirov reported that the 29-year-old has decided to retire from football.

The decision brings an end to a six-year NFL career that included stops with the Bills, Panthers and Jaguars.

#Jaguars CB Dane Jackson, who has had a 6-year NFL career primarily with the #Bills, is retiring from football at age 29. pic.twitter.com/FJFx887T6k
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 28, 2026

Across 64 games, including 31 starts, Jackson totaled 178 tackles, three interceptions and 30 passes defended.

While he never developed into one of the league's top cornerbacks, Jackson found a way to stick around after entering the NFL as a seventh-round pick.

He earned the trust of Buffalo's coaching staff early in his career and was often called upon when injuries forced changes in the secondary. Jackson recorded his first career interception during his rookie season before taking on a larger role over the next two years.

Now, he’s reportedly closing the book on a career that began as the Bills' final pick in the 2020 draft and grew into more than 30 NFL starts.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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