The Buffalo Bills are bringing back an old friend, signing cornerback Dane Jackson to a one-year contract per a report by Mike Garafolo. Jackson’s NFL career began when the Bills selected him out of Pitt in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft.

The 5’11, 188-pound Jackson, now 28, spent four seasons with Buffalo before entering free agency in 2024 — subsequently signing with the Carolina Panthers. Jackson had one inauspicious season with the Panthers where injury derailed his training camp and left him sidelined into October. From that point on, he only managed to start three games in nine appearances. In total, Jackson had 23 tackles (15 solo), one tackle for loss, and two pass defenses.

Jackson’s best season with the Bills came in a featured role as the team’s starting right cornerback for 14 regular-season games during the 2022 NFL season. He made made 57 tackles (49 solo), one tackle for loss, two interceptions, 12 pass defenses, and one forced fumble. In four seasons with Buffalo, Jackson had 152 tackles (129 solo), two tackles for loss, three interceptions, 28 pass defenses, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

(all stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference)

Jackson’s return to One Bills Drive comes after general manager Brandon Beane traded former first-round cornerback Kaiir Elam to the Dallas Cowboys. In the long term, this is perhaps best viewed as a move to replace Elam.

Consider that, for now, Jackson may very well be penciled in as CB2 with Buffalo. He’s the only cornerback the team has added to this point in the offseason, though Beane did also re-sign safety Damar Hamlin and brought in safety Darrick Forrest, both on one-year deals.