Jackson was a part of the trade that sent Diontae Johnson to the Panthers last offseason. Now, after one season with the Steelers, Jackson will join a Chargers defense that ranked fourth in yards per attempt and first in points allowed. Jackson forced a career-high five interceptions last season, but earned a PFF coverage grade of 46.2 — the lowest mark of his career. Opposing receivers posted a receiving line of 36-473-3 on 60 targets when matched up against Jackson last season and excelled against him after the catch. Kristian Fulton, who played the second most snaps of any corner on the Chargers last season was on a one-year deal and is no lock to return this offseason. Jackson could very well be tasked with replacing Fulton on his new deal.

Jackson went down in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and did not return to the field. The veteran corner was ruled out at the start of the second half and was replaced by James Pierre. Jackson was acquired by the Steelers over the summer in a trade that sent Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. He has started all 14 games he’s appeared in this season, earning a PFF coverage grade of 50.4 while allowing 32 receptions for 396 yards and three touchdowns.

Jackson was expected to be traded or released, and now he heads to the Steelers as part of the Diontae Johnson deal. He is due a $4 million roster bonus on March 16th, which will now be paid by Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career thus far with the Panthers, starting in all but four of his 80 career games. He finished last season with five passes defended, a forced fumble, and no interceptions. Jackson now joins a Steelers secondary in need of corner help next to Joey Porter.

Jackson is due a $4 million roster bonus on March 16, which can be viewed as the presumed deadline for the team to move on from him. Moving on from the former second-round pick would save the Panthers $5.9 million in cap space, but he’d also count as $9.8 million in dead cap. Jackson totaled 59 tackles in 16 games for the Panthers last season and earned a PFF coverage grade of 66.6. Jackson will be 28 at the start of next season and should draw plenty of interest on the open market should he hit free agency.