Carolina Panthers signing former Bills cornerback Dane Jackson

The Carolina Panthers are signing former Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane Jackson in free agency, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Jackson, a former seventh-round draft pick for the Bills in 2020, has four seasons under his belt. Buffalo opted to let him walk after extending him on a one-year deal last season. He’s now inking a deal with the Panthers for two years and up to $14.5 milllion.

Jackson posted 39 tackles with one forced fumble and two tackles for loss during the 2023 season. He played in 15 of 17 games as the Bills went 11-6 in the regular season. He also added two tackles during Buffalo’s postseason run.

Dane Jackson played his college ball with the Pitt Panthers before entering the league in 2020. So far in his first four seasons, he’s racked up 152 total tackles, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and seven tackles for loss.

Buffalo selected Jackson in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft and he made the roster as a rookie. Playing in five games during his first year in the league, his role grew as the Bills’ defense improved during the 2021 season. Now, he’s on the move to Carolina where he’ll try to help the Panthers bounce back after a two-win 2023 season.

Panthers trade Steelers for new wide receiver

The Carolina Panthers made a move to bring in a little pass-catching help for second-year quarterback Bryce Young in 2024, trading for Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Diontae Johnson, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Pittsburgh gets cornerback Donte Jackson in return.

The teams also swapped a pair of picks for the 2024 NFL Draft. Carolina gave up pick No. 178 and Pittsburgh handed over pick No. 240, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Johnson is owed a $3 million roster bonus on Friday, which the Panthers will apparently pay. He had 51 receptions for 717 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. He immediately becomes one of the most effective pass catchers on a Panthers roster that was bereft of pass catching depth during Young’s rookie season.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.