Denver Broncos: Malik Jackson destined to slip away?

Since there’s roughly a zero-percent chance of Von Miller seeing the light of free agency, Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson could be the biggest name to hit the free agent waters in March, because it’s easy to envision him cashing in on a much fatter check from another team.

Although the Denver Broncos have made it clear that Jackson is a priority, he can’t be THE priority with Miller set to receive the franchise tag. Throw in new deals that must be done with star linebacker Danny Trevathan, quarterback Brock Osweiler, and others, and there just doesn’t seem to be enough dough for Jackson, especially since John Elway already threw big bucks at a different star 3-4 DE in Derek Wolfe.

Even with Miller guaranteed to stay and Wolfe already locked in, Jackson remains as important as ever to the Broncos organization. Few players in this league bring the year-to-year or snap-to-snap consistency that Jackson does, as he’s been a stud run defender and interior disruptor in the passing game ever since this genius of an organization stole him out of Tennessee in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

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The Broncos received four cheap seasons out of one of the NFL’s best young defensive linemen, but I think he’s bound to leave with a monster contract. According to 9News’s Mike Klis (elite in his own sphere), the almost grotesquely cap-rich Jacksonville Jaguars “covet” Jackson. And why wouldn’t they? He’s a freaking monster, and the Jaguars don’t have a sure thing on the defensive line outside of the explosive Sen’Derrick Marks. Sure, Dante Fowler Jr. could be a big hit and someone like Noah Spence (or even Joey Bosa) could join him, but Jackson would be a game-changer. That should go without saying, right?

What we know, per this report from the Chicago Tribune’s seasoned Brad Biggs, is that Jackson wants $12 million per year. If he hits the open market, he’s going to get that kind of money. Now, Jackson can talk all he wants about how he wants to return to Denver, and I’m sure that’s true. Who wouldn’t want to play for the Super Bowl champs under Wade Phillips with the likes of Miller, Wolfe, DeMarcus Ware, Chris Harris Jr., and Sylvester Williams around him?

The Broncos, of course, will talk about how much they want to keep Jackson. Because…duh. Who the heck wouldn’t want to keep an elite player and consummate professional at a position that is becoming increasingly valuable?

Unfortunately, the most important details (you know, the financial ones) don’t add up. Last offseason, we saw two vital pieces to contenders, Devin McCourty and Randall Cobb, take massive paycuts to stay with their teams. The same could conceivably happen with Jackson, but there’s a reason why I can name D-Mac and Cobb so quickly; they stand out as clear exceptions to the rule.

You know, the rule that big-name free agents who aren’t hit with the franchise tag get more money on the free agent market. In a league in which guaranteed money is harder to find than a good Coldplay song (not even mentioning the fact that your career could last as long as Coolio’s), you have to cash in when you can.

At 26, Jackson probably has two more big paydays in store, but this will be his biggest one. Judging by the fact that Cameron Jordan makes $11 million per year from the New Orleans Saints on a deal he signed after a down year and without free agency looming, Jackson stands to make a whole lot more. J.J. Watt earns a whopping $16.7 million per year, so Jackson has a prime opportunity to set the market behind perhaps the most dominant defensive player in NFL history.

Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) reacts after making a sack in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

To their credit, the Broncos aren’t low-balling him. The Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck reported that Jackson has been offered a contract “north” of $10 million per season. That’s not beer-and-pizza money, but it’s about what Corey Liuget makes per season. Jackson can easily make more than that from a team like the Jaguars and Oakland Raiders. I mean, just look at how much cap room those franchises have, and they need a superstar defender more than the still-loaded Broncos D does.

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I like it when star players are rewarded with long-term deals and are able to become institutions for their franchise, but a player’s number one priority should be to look out for their financial future. Either way, Jackson will make the decision that’s best for him, but I have a feeling that decision will be to test the free agent market. Once there, I don’t see how the Broncos keep another team from coaxing him away, because the waters of free agency will surely be his ocean. As you can see by his play, he is one voracious, tireless, and powerful shark.

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