The Denver Broncos secondary is taking form with the return of Kareem Jackson.
Vic Fangio is in a pivotal year as the Denver Broncos’ head coach. It usually takes three years to figure out if someone will work or if the team must rebuild in a different direction. As Fangio enters Year 3, the moves made this offseason could be the ones that keep him a head coach a tad longer.
This offseason, new general manager George Paton made sure to address the secondary for the future. One look at Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr and Justin Herbert is enough to see that the weakest secondary is likely the odd team out.
On Tuesday, that unit was complete for 2021.
The Broncos are brining back safety Kareem Jackson on a one-year deal worth $5 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and KOA’s Benjamin Allbright. Earlier this month, Denver elected to decline Jackson’s $10 million option, rather to use that money to fix problems elsewhere.
Paton stated earlier this month at his press conference that the team was interested in a reunion between the two for another season.
“We had great conversations with his agent,” Paton said, according to reporters. “We tried to get something done. We couldn’t. We left the door open for Kareem to come back, but we just couldn’t get something worked out.”
Is this the push the Broncos need?
Jackson marks the fourth signing made in the secondary by Paton this offseason. After franchise-tagging Pro Bowler Justin Simmons, the two sides agreed to a four-year deal worth $61 million. That followed up with a three-year deal to cornerback Ronald Darby worth $30 million with $19.5 million fully guaranteed.
Following his release earlier this month, Denver wasted zero time addressing the need opposite of Darby for the future. With Kyle Fuller a free agent, Denver reunited Fuller with his former Bears defensive coordinator on a one-year deal worth $9.5 million.
Denver also is expecting a rebounding year from slot defender Bryce Callahan.
Last season, the Broncos ranked 17th in pass defense, allowing opponents to average 237.9 yards per game. They also finished 25th in interceptions with 10. Darby’s breakout campaign and Fuller’s knowledge of Fangio’s scheme are immense upgrades for the Broncos secondary.
Adding Jackson to play the run and zone coverage is the icing on the cake for the Broncos’ defense in 2021. Now, let’s see what happens with the situation under center surrounding Drew Lock and the NFL Draft.