Injuries to secondary players led to the Panthers acquiring another one.
The Carolina Panthers have traded rookie 7th-round pick linebacker Michael Barrett to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for veteran cornerback Michael Jackson. Jackson was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Miami (FL).
After spending a couple of months on the Dallas practice squad, he was released and immediately signed by the Detroit Lions. The following summer, he was traded to the New England Patriots who released Jackson less than a month later. He spent some time on and off the Patriots practice squad before signing with the Seahawks in 2021. He ultimately landed on their practice squad before playing all 17 games for Seattle in 2022 and 2023.
Michael Jackson joins a list of Panthers cornerbacks also named Jackson in Dane and Lamar. Had the team not traded away Donte Jackson, they’d be just one defensive back away from the full Jackson 5. Dane and Lamar suffered injuries in camp and the preseason, respectively, so Michael was brought in as depth.
Hopefully Michael Jackson won’t be too Bad and make us Remember the Time when the Panthers had a great secondary. If he does play and get an interception, I’m sure Panthers fans will tell him to Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough. If Jackson ends up being a Smooth Criminal and reasserting Thieves Ave status on the back end of the defense, this team could be a Thriller. If he doesn’t, however, the team will likely tell him to Beat It once Dane is healthy.