Adoree' Jackson is returning to the Giants , an individual with knowledge of the situation told NorthJersey.com, which was first to report the signing Friday night.
The Giants had an experience void in the secondary and they're bringing back a familiar face with Jackson returning on a 1-year deal.
Jackson did not have a great 2023 as last season started with the veteran bouncing inside to the slot. The move was not necessarily to make room for sixth-round rookie Tre Hawkins on the outside, even though it was portrayed that way, but to give the Giants somewhat of a chance to match up against Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb and other star wide receivers who line up all over the field.
When the Giants had two cornerbacks on the field, it was Jackson and Tae Banks, who returns for his second season as the top cornerback on the team. There were weird things that happened with Jackson throughout the year, including the broken helmet buckle story at Miami that caused him to not be on the field for Tyreek Hill's long touchdown that opened the second half of the blowout.
Jackson, who turns 29 next month, was banged up in multiple games, dealing with a neck injury and then a concussion that cost him two games. Missed tackles became an issue for the entire defense and Jackson was a part of that, and then there were some rough patches along the way.
All that said: if Jackson is healthy and wants to be here, which appears to be the case, his presence certainly helps with Cor'Dale Flott and Nick McCloud - a career 24 starts between them - battling for the No. 2 corner job. Jackson has started 77 games in seven seasons, including the last three with the Giants.
If the one-year contract is favorable - and it's hard to see it not being minimum with playing time incentives - then Jackson gives the Giants something they don't have in the chase for the spot opposite to Banks.
Whether Jackson can get up to speed for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings remains to be seen. He is familiar with his position coach, Jerome Henderson, who is also the passing game coordinator on defense. While his paths crossed with Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen in Tennessee, Bowen was the linebackers coach when Jackson was with the Titans and became DC during Jackson's transition to free agency.
Jackson has been very popular within the Giants' organization and in the locker room with teammates. Wide receiver Darius Slayton praised Jackson on social media when news of his visit with the team broke Friday morning.
"This is the single best thing I’ve read so far in 2024," Slayton wrote.
The question that won't be answered until Jackson gets on the field and attempts to work his way into the lineup: was last season's inconsistent and at times sluggish play a product of circumstances, or a sign that the 2017 first-round pick of the Titans out of USC has lost a step?
Jackson went months without signing, and the Giants, who knew their youth at the position was glaring, seemingly did not make a play for a return until this week. General manager Joe Schoen initially downplayed the Giants' need for a cornerback with more of a proven track record earlier this week.
The Giants drafted Dru Phillips in the third round and he is slated to start at nickel corner. They were interested in corners Kamari Lassiter and Kool-Aid McKinstry in the second round, but both prospects went prior to their selection after the Giants had dealt the earlier of two second round picks to Carolina in the package for Brian Burns in March.
The Giants wound up drafting safety Tyler Nubin with their second round pick and he is likely to start as well.
Veteran cornerback Duke Shelley was signed to the practice squad Thursday and the reunion with Jackson came a day later.
"It's a position we'll continue to look at, as we will with all positions," Schoen said. "If there's an opportunity to upgrade there, we will."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: BREAKING: NY Giants are re-signing CB Adoree' Jackson
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