Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson scored the first touchdown of Super Bowl 50 when he fell on a fumble forced by Von Miller in the end zone to give Denver a 10-0 lead over the Panthers that they’d never relinquish on the way to a 24-10 win.
The Broncos celebrated that win in Denver on Tuesday, but the NFL doesn’t leave much time to linger in the moment. Free agency will be upon us before too much longer and Jackson is set to be one of the most productive players to hit the open market this offseason.
Broncos General Manager John Elway called holding onto Jackson a priority for the offseason, although the need to sign Miller and possibly quarterback Brock Osweiler may not leave much space for Jackson. During a Wednesday appearance on PFT Live, Jackson said he’d like to be back while acknowledging the business side of things may make that impossible.
“Oh yeah, I love it here man. I think I’m accustomed to living here,” Jackson said. “I’ve tried my past four years to get better and prove to Mr. Elway that I like it here with my play. You know it’s one thing about this this thing is it’s a business you know it doesn’t matter what you like or where you like it. It’s where you can feed your family and make enough money to feed your family. So for me it’s one of those things I would love to stay here and just kinda continue to start here with my boys. Continue this run with them and try to get another one with this defense but you know it is a business and I gotta feed my family so we’ll see what happens.”
Jackson said he’d be happy to get the franchise tag -- “I would be making what fourteen or fifteen million in a year?” -- in the event the Broncos are able to lock up Miller before the deadline to use the tag, which may be a long shot but it’s one that will remain in play for a few more weeks. If they can’t, Jackson should be the object of desire for several teams looking to fortify their defensive line this offseason.