This is the first of several likely moves to clear up the roster
The Carolina Panthers have released veteran cornerback Dane Jackson. Jackson was signed last offseason with a hope of his developing into a replacement for Donte Jackson.
Dane Jackson began the 2024 season injured and lost his job to the surprise development of Michael Jackson. He then competed with rookie Chau Smith-Wade for the nickel spot. The Panthers have now elected to follow the younger and cheaper path that Smith-Wade affords them at nickel.
Jackson, a 2020 7th round pick by the Buffalo Bills, was familiar to general manager Dan Morgan and signed a two-year $8.5M contract last year and will save the Panthers about $3.5M against the salary cap in 2025 with his release. This will put the Panthers in the vicinity of $33M in cap space for the coming season.