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.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pro Football Focus' Brad Spielberger offered up two possible landing spots for Jackson, and the Buccaneers do make a lot of sense.
"The Buccaneers could add a nasty second-level run blocker alongside maybe the best pass protector in the NFL in Tristan Wirfs, who has already adjusted nicely to the blindside after moving across the line ahead of the 2023 season."
Tampa Bay is very likely to be seeking a new starter at left guard to fortify that side of their offensive line. The question is if they'll be able to compete in the market for someone like Jackson after taking care of some internal free agent business. Otherwise, they'd be higher on this list.
3. Carolina Panthers
Spielberger also had the Panthers as a possible landing spot for Jackson.
"Injuries have ravaged Carolina's guards over the past few years — particularly at left guard this past season — but they nonetheless earned the worst grade at the position in the NFL in 2023 (37.6). New general manager Dan Morgan said at his introductory press conference that he wanted “dogs” on this reshaped roster, and Jonah Jackson could be the tone-setting mauler at left guard who fits the bill."
The Panthers also don't have a ton of money to spend, and there doesn't seem to be an easy path to cuts that would create a lot more cap space. But if Jackson finds a tepid market for his services coming off a down, injury-impacted season, maybe he ends up considering a one-year "prove-it"-type deal in a place like Carolina to re-establish his stock.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Outside of left tackle Trent Williams, the 49ers are not especially strong along the offensive line and the interior is notably not so great. Right guard Jon Feliciano had a fine 2023 season (81.2 Pro Football Focus grade), but left guard Aaron Banks (54.9 PFF grade) is begging to be upgraded on this offseason.
The 49ers have work to do to get cap-compliant right now, and they have some contract situations coming up. But they will remain in all-in mode until further notice, as they try to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl one of these years as basically currently constructed. They're also in the unique position of paying quarterback Brock Purdy pennies for at least one more year ($985,000 base salary in 2024), before he can be signed to a contract extension that better reflects his actual market value.
The 49ers don't have a lot of holes, so they can be very focused on the few they have. Left guard is one for sure, and if they can make sufficient financial room to make a viable offer to Jackson they could very well get him.
1. Washington Commanders
ESPN's Matt Bowen, in projecting team fits for the top available free agents recently, matched Jackson with the Commanders. Saahdiq Charles, who started 10 games at left guard for them last season, is also an unrestricted free agent and he's absolutely replaceable (55.5 overall Pro Football Focus).
The Commanders also have the most available salary cap space in the league right now. While there's certainly a balance that will have to be struck, they won't miss on a player in free agency because they weren't willing to pony up to get them. An upgrading at left guard is in play, and even in his down year Jackson was better than Charles.
Washington can pay more than anyone else or anyone they really want in free agency, at least in the theory. Jackson may actually come at a discount relative to what it seemed he could have gotten on the open market this spring before the 2023 season started. That only bolsters the potential fit, if the Commanders want to pursue him.