As part of the Buffalo Bills’ moves to clear room on their salary cap ahead of the 2026 NFL season, cornerback Dane Jackson has been released by the team. Jackson is the third defensive back let go by the new regime, a unit led by first time head coach Joe Brady and first time defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
As reported by Sal Capaccio, the Bills clear “$1.2M of cap space” in 2026 by releasing Jackson and the minimum active roster deal he was signed to late last season.
Though not an integral part of Buffalo’s on-field plans in his return to One Bills Drive last season, Jackson did see the field in three regular-season games, totaling three combined tackles. Also appearing in both of Buffalo’s playoff games last season, Jackson’s role as veteran depth was tested when Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton chose to have quarterback Bo Nix target Jackson who was acting as cold relief for an injured Tre’Davious White. It was a play that ended as a called touchdown for Denver.
In five seasons and 55 games played between those two stints with the Bills, Jackson made 155 tackles (129 solo), two tackles for loss, three interceptions, 28 pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery (per Pro Football Reference).
Jackson’s time with the Bills spoke to former head coach Sean McDermott’s ability to bring the best out of late-round and undrafted defensive backs in most situations. Though Jackson’s second stint didn’t go as well as his first with One Bills Drive, he was pressed into playoff duty after the team lost backup cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram to waivers while making their own successful yet unrequited waiver claim of cornerback Darius Slay Jr.
