What Contract Should Lions Offer Justin Jackson?

Read more on the contract offer the Detroit Lions should make for running back Justin Jackson.

The Detroit Lions' running backs room, led by Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift, put together a solid season in 2022. And, it wasn't just because of the performance of the two aforementioned backs.

It was also because of the play of Justin Jackson, who was acquired by Lions general manager Brad Holmes early on in training camp. 

Jackson came to the Motor City after spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers, the team he was drafted by in the seventh round of the 2018 draft. With the Chargers, he accumulated 206 carries for 1,040 yards and four touchdowns, good for a yards-per-carry average of 5.0 yards. He also added 65 catches for another 508 yards.

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The 26-year-old didn't make Detroit's 53-man roster out of training camp. Instead, he started off the year on the team's practice squad. He was, however, elevated to the Lions' active roster for the team's season-opening loss to the eventual NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. In that game, he was Detroit's deep man on kickoff returns, and it was a sign of things to come for the Northwestern product. 

He proceeded to be signed to the Lions' 53-man roster prior to the team's Week 2 contest with the Washington Commanders. In what ended up being a victory for the Lions, Jackson returned one kick for 33 yards.

He ended up serving as Detroit's primary kick returner throughout the entirety of the 2022 campaign, returning 23 kicks for 613 yards. This included a long of 42 yards and a return average of 26.7 yards. 

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This was on top of the fact that he took the third-most reps at running back for the Lions this past season. He finished the season with 42 carries for 170 yards and a score, and he also contributed 101 yards and another score as a receiver out of the backfield.

Sure, Jackson wasn't ultra productive. But, he did find a way to impact the game in multiple fashions, and the Lions could decide to bring him back on a one-year deal this offseason.

He earned a base salary of just $977,500 in 2022. So, if I were Holmes, I'd be willing to offer the veteran back a one-year deal worth $1.1 million. And, if Jackson were to say no to the offer, I'd let him walk in free agency.