Dane Jackson picked the Panthers for a reason almost anyone could have seen coming

Dane Jackson had other offers on the table. 

However, the 27-year-old cornerback signed with the Carolina Panthers on a two-year deal worth up to $14.5 million. The reason he picked the Panthers over any other offer boiled down to one man – Dan Morgan. 

Carolina's general manager had his eyes locked on Jackson during the 2020 NFL draft when he was with the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo drafted Jackson with the No. 239 pick because of Morgan and now he is making his way to Charlotte for the very same reason. 

“He’s been a great influence in my career,” Jackson said of Morgan to reporters on Wednesday. "He was a big advocate, coming out for me when he was in Buffalo and just getting me on the team and believing and trusting in me. 

"I gotta tip my hat off to him and give him a lot of thanks for that.”

The Panthers paid him as though they expected him to play quite a bit during the 2024 season. 

Knowing Morgan's history and his belief in Jackson, it all makes sense.