The Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday agreed to terms with Donte Jackson.
Here are five things to know about the cornerback:
1. Career-high interceptions in 2024
The veteran defensive back joins the Chargers after a season manning the secondary in Pittsburgh.
Jackson played and started in 16 total games (including the playoffs) for the Steelers after being traded last offseason, becoming a starter and contributor throughout the year.
He notched a career-high five interceptions in 2024, which tied for second-most in the AFC and tied for the sixth-most in the NFL . The cornerback also added 38 tackles (28 solo), eight passes defensed, two tackles for loss and one fumble recovery.
Jackson also finished last season with a 66.9 passer rating allowed, ranking sixth among cornerbacks who were targeted at least 25 times, according to Pro Football Focus.
2. Experienced cornerback
The Bolts are getting a cornerback with plenty of NFL experience under his belt.
Jackson will be entering his eighth NFL season in 2025 and has played 95 games (91 starts) throughout his career.
A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft (No. 55 overall) by the Panthers, he spent the first six years of his career as a member of the Carolina secondary.
He's also been a ballhawk since entering the league and has racked up 19 interceptions since 2018, which is good for the 11th-most in that timespan.
Jackson has produced in his NFL career totaling 341 tackles (276 solo), 54 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and 17 tackles for loss.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with cornerback **Donte Jackson**.
Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) plays against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) runs an interception back for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) returns an interception for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 16, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson celebrates during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) celebrates a tackle during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) warms up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 07, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Denver .(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) intercepts a pass in front of Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the second half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) is congratulated by linebacker Jeremiah Moon (49) after intercepting a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) reacts after a play against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct 13, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) celebrates after an interception during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) celebrates his interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Pittsburgh Steelers' Donte Jackson in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Pittsburgh Steelers' Donte Jackson in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) in action during the second half of an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
3. Former LSU standout
The cornerback played collegiately at LSU and shined as a true freshman by appearing in 12 games and tallying an interception.
He played three total seasons for the Tigers, playing in 37 games (24 starts) while racking up 116 career tackles, four tackles for loss and four interceptions to go along with 22 pass breakups and a sack.
Jackson culminated his college career in 2017 by earning All-SEC Second Team Honors after a season with 51 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and finishing second on team with 10 pass breakups.
4. Dual-sport athlete
Off the gridiron, Jackson was also a track and field star at LSU.
Jackson competed as part of LSU's indoor track teams in 2016 and 2017 after a stellar track career in high school — and owns quite of bit of accolades as well.
During the 2016 season, he became the No. 4-ranked performer on LSU's all-time indoor performance list after a personal best of 6.63 in the 60-meter dash.
Jackson would eventually becoming one of the NCAA's top sprinters during the 2017 track season and was an SEC finalist in the 60 meters indoors and 100 meters outdoors at the SEC Championships.
5. Star in Louisiana
Prior to being a two-sport athlete at LSU, the Louisiana native made his mark on the prep scene.
Jackson attended Riverdale High School in Jefferson Parish, where he was a two-sport star as a five-star defensive back prospect and one of the best sprinters in the state.
He dominated the 100- and 200-meter competitions during his time in high school, all while playing on both sides of the ball throughout his high school career.
