Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Dane Jackson has retired from the NFL, just weeks after signing a new contract with the team. The 29-year-old was placed on the Reserve/Retired list Tuesday, the team’s report day for training camp. The Jaguars have since added cornerback Corey Ballentine to their roster.
Jackson had signed a one-year contract worth $1.215 million with the Jaguars on June 4. He has not yet commented on his decision, and the team has not provided further clarification. Jackson was present at the team's mandatory veteran minicamp on June 11.
Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Jackson played five seasons with the team before joining the Carolina Panthers for the 2024 season. In his six-year career, he accumulated 178 tackles and three interceptions. His career earnings total approximately $8.5 million.
Jackson may be partially remembered for a single snap during a Divisional Round playoff loss to the Denver Broncos, where he allowed a 26-yard touchdown reception with under a minute remaining in the game. That score gave the Broncos a three-point lead, though the Bills eventually tied the game and lost in overtime.
His retirement opens up a roster spot for the Jaguars, who were reportedly considering developing former No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter as a defensive player. Hunter, who is listed as the team's No. 1 cornerback on most projected depth charts, is recovering from a torn ACL suffered while playing wide receiver last season.