With Julian Okwara officially gone, left guard Jonah Jackson is now the last player left from Bob Quinn's final draft as Detroit Lions' general manager in 2020. That also makes him one of the longer-tenured Lions' players, as he now hits free agency.
Jackson made the Pro Bowl as an alternate in 2021, and he followed that with another good season in 2022. But 2023 was different. He missed five regular season games with ankle and wrist issues, then he missed the NFC Championship Game with a knee injury. His level of play dropped off, perhaps impacted by the injuries, by Pro Football Focus grade and often the eye test. So all-around, it wasn't an ideal contract year for him.
That said, Jackson is in his prime (just turned 27 years old on Feb. 5) and he's regarded among the top available free agent guards anywhere you might look. The Lions may draw a line for where they'll go in a contract offer for him though, and that opens up the idea another team will usurp them and he'll be gone.
Jackson once said he wanted to be a Lion for his entire career. But if he gets to the open market in March, money will (and should) talk if another team is just as good a fit.
Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network recently highlighted the issue for the Lions when it comes to their decision on Jackson. Who would be the replacement option? But their heavy financial investment in the offensive line will be continuing, and paying everyone going forward will be hard.
"A league source said both sides were not close to an agreement to begin last season, but that doesn’t mean Detroit won’t look to re-sign him before free agency starts. They clearly don’t have his potential replacement on its 90-man offseason roster."
On the idea Jackson gets an offer he can't (shouldn't) refuse from another team, here are five potential landing spots for him in free agency.
5 potential landing spots for Lions OG Jonah Jackson in free agency
5. New York Giants
The Giants have three of their offensive line spots locked in-both tackle spots (Evan Neal, Andrew Thomas) and center (John Michael Schmitz). The guard spots, mostly held down by Justin Pugh ("straight off the couch", as he said in a "Sunday Night Football" intro) and Ben Bredeson last season, are an issue.
The Giants ranked last in adjusted line yards and sack rate DVOA last season. Protecting whoever the quarterback is better, and blocking better for whoever their running back is going forward, has to be a priority this offseason. Jackson would be a nice piece to add in that effort.