Entering his 13th NFL season, some might wonder if Kareem Jackson has run out of gas as a heavy-hitting, trash-talking safety who plays bigger than his 185-pound frame.
The Broncos, who signed Jackson to a one-year contract this offseason, are gambling the 34-year-old still has something left in the tank. And new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero doubled down on that bet this week, calling Jackson “vital” to the team’s success.
“First of all, let’s not be mistaken: He can still run,” Evero said. “There’s still a lot of juice there and still a lot of playmaking ability there. Just all the intangibles as well, just being able to be a locker room presence, be a veteran presence, to be a guy that’s in charge of the communication and all that stuff. It’s invaluable.”
Jackson is entering his fourth season in Denver following nine years with the Texans, who drafted him No. 20 overall out of Alabama in 2010. In 44 starts with the Broncos, Jackson has amassed 248 tackles, 16 passes defensed and four interceptions. In 2021, Jackson had 88 tackles over 15 games, but also a team-high 14 missed tackles.
As an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Jackson said he had “a couple different opportunities” across the NFL but chose to return to Denver, where the arrival of quarterback Russell Wilson and a new coaching staff has injected fresh energy and optimism into the franchise.
“Coming back here made the most sense for me at this point in my career with everything that’s going on here,” Jackson said. “It was kind of an easy decision.”
Throughout the team’s three-day voluntary veteran minicamp this week at the UC Health Training Center, Jackson was frequently spotted dissecting the Broncos’ new defense under Evero. He and fellow safety Justin Simmons were in constant communication, with Jackson suggesting tweaks and tips. Jackson was also spotted standing behind a drill breaking down coverage with K’Waun Williams, the team’s new nickelback, for an extended amount of time on Wednesday.
“Kareem is an unsung hero in the back end,” Simmons said. “I don’t think he gets enough credit, especially with the volume he plays at (98% of defensive snaps from 2019-21) and going into Year 13. You can’t replace that (experience). It’s going to mean a lot for us with the new system, new verbiage, some new guys coming in. It’s great to have a guy like him who’s been around — he’s seen it, he knows.”
Jackson sees another season in Denver as a chance to add to his legacy while also being part of the Broncos’ return the prominence. Denver hasn’t made the playoffs since Super Bowl 50, a six-year playoff drought.
“With the additions in the offseason — the first three years here for me and having some highs and lows — it’s important to be in a situation where we can go compete at a high level,” Jackson said. “I wanted to finish things (on a high note) and possibly make a run for a Super Bowl.”
Receiver Tim Patrick called Jackson “the last (major) missing piece that we needed.”
“He’s a leader, he’s a tempo-setter on that defense,” Patrick said. “The way he talks, the way he hits. Not many people are hitting the way he does. And the way he carries himself in the locker room, he’s a veteran in this league and (it shows).”
Despite all those years in the league, Jackson hasn’t lost the chip on his shoulder. With second-year pro Caden Sterns also on the depth chart — and with the Broncos potentially drafting at least one safety in this weekend’s draft — Jackson was asked if he’s still willing and able to be an every-down safety alongside Simmons.
His answer came with the edge one would expect from a hard-hitter.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
