Following Darius Slay’s release from the Philadelphia Eagles, many wondered how the team would address the cornerback position.
The Eagles opted not to bring in any high-profile free agents at corner. While they have two promising young talents, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, locked in for the next three seasons, there remains a significant gap at the second outside corner spot in their nickel defense.
Kelee Ringo, a 2023 fourth-round pick from Georgia, was initially expected to take on that role. However, the Eagles made a move on Thursday that could shake things up.
According to Jeff McLane of The Athletic, Philadelphia is signing former New York Giants cornerback Adoree’ Jackson to a one-year deal.
Jackson originally joined the Giants in 2021 on a three-year, $39 million contract after being released by the Tennessee Titans. Though he never quite developed into a true CB1, he remained with New York for the full duration of his deal and was extended last September on a one-year contract.
With the Giants reshaping their secondary—adding cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland on lucrative deals—Jackson was no longer in the team’s future plans.
How Will This Effect The Eagles’ Cornerback Room?
At this stage in his career, Adoree’ Jackson is not a guaranteed NFL starter, and his recent performances haven’t done much to change that perception.
However, with Slay’s absence leaving a significant void, bringing in a veteran like Jackson to compete with Kelee Ringo in training camp could be a worthwhile investment for the Eagles.
Ideally, Philadelphia would have Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean starting on the outside while utilizing a safety—or potentially re-signing Avonte Maddox—to handle slot duties. However, DeJean thrives on the inside, having finished last season as the highest-rated cornerback in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
As a result, the Eagles will likely have to choose between Ringo and Jackson for the other outside cornerback spot.
Can Philadelphia Revive Adoree’ Jackson’s Career?
In the past year, the Philadelphia Eagles have earned a reputation as a “rehabilitation” destination for elite players who haven’t quite reached their full potential. Both guard Mekhi Becton and linebacker Zack Baun—who was named a 1st Team All-Pro last season—arrived in Philly on affordable contracts and quickly became in-demand players.
While Adoree’ Jackson is a more established player than Baun and Becton, who were both still on their rookie deals, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has a track record of getting the best out of his players.
Jackson likely won’t turn into an All-Pro overnight, but at 29 years old, he could see his value increase throughout the season and potentially establish himself as a reliable CB2 for the Eagles.