Adoree’ Jackson’s Comeback: From Targeted to Trusted in the Eagles’ Secondary
PHILADELPHIA - For much of this season, Adoree’ Jackson was the guy Eagles fans loved to hate. The veteran cornerback was catching more heat than passes, and in a city that doesn’t hold back, the criticism was relentless. But something’s changed - and it’s not just the tone of the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field.
Jackson, once seen as a liability in the Eagles’ secondary, is quietly flipping the script. Over the past few weeks, he's gone from being the weak link to a steady presence opposite rookie standout Quinyon Mitchell. And for a team that entered the season with serious questions at CB2, that’s no small development.
A Rough Start, a Needed Turnaround
Let’s rewind for a second. Jackson didn’t exactly inspire confidence early on. He had a rocky preseason, struggled to find his footing in the first few games, and was routinely targeted by opposing offenses - especially in Week 1 against Dallas, where he was picked on early and often.
By midseason, the numbers didn’t lie. Among 93 NFL cornerbacks with at least 200 defensive snaps, Jackson’s coverage grade ranked 90th. That’s deep in the danger zone - the kind of stat that usually lands you on the bench or worse.
But Jackson didn’t fold. He didn’t lash out.
He didn’t make excuses. Instead, he stayed the course, leaned on his teammates, and kept grinding to find his place in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s notoriously complex scheme.
“Everybody’s journey playing for Vic is different,” Jackson said. “Mine, it took me a while to understand Vic, how he coaches and what he’s looking for.”
Fangio’s system isn’t exactly plug-and-play. It demands communication, anticipation, and a deep understanding of coverage checks and pre-snap looks. Jackson admitted it took time to get comfortable - not just with the playbook, but with the rhythm of the defense.
The Turning Point
Something clicked after the bye week. Maybe it was the extra time to reset, maybe it was the reps finally stacking up, but Jackson started to look like a different player.
In Week 10, he came up with a key pass breakup against the Packers. A week later, he bounced back from giving up a touchdown to Jameson Williams by locking down Amon-Ra St.
Brown in a crucial red-zone stand against Detroit. That’s the kind of resilience you want from a veteran corner.
And then came Monday night against the Chargers - Jackson’s best game of the season. He finished with five tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception that gave the Eagles a jolt heading into halftime.
The pick came off a deflected throw by Justin Herbert, thanks to pressure from Jaelan Phillips. Right place, right time - but also the kind of moment that had eluded Jackson earlier in the year.
“Everyone always talks about those free ones,” Jackson said with a grin. “You watch a lot on film and you’re like, ‘Damn, Lord I’ve seen what you’ve done for others. I want that for me.’”
Jackson allowed just four catches on seven targets for 34 yards in that game, and only two yards after the catch. That’s tight coverage.
That’s trustworthiness. That’s exactly what the Eagles needed at CB2.
Earning Respect - and a Role
Vic Fangio isn’t known for handing out praise lightly. So when he said Jackson “played well” against the Chargers and noted that “he’s been doing that lately,” it meant something. It marked a shift from skepticism to belief - not just from the fans, but from inside the building.
Let’s not forget: Jackson wasn’t Fangio’s guy. The Eagles signed him in the offseason more as a depth piece than a guaranteed starter.
With Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers gone in free agency, the hope was that 2023 draft pick Kelee Ringo would step up. When that didn’t happen, Jackson was the next man up - but he had to earn every snap.
And early on, it didn’t look like he would. Fangio even admitted the decision to bring Jackson in wasn’t his call.
“When Howie [Roseman] wants to sign somebody, it doesn’t matter what I say,” Fangio said.
But credit to Jackson: he didn’t let that stop him. He worked through the early struggles, found his footing, and now he’s giving the Eagles exactly what they hoped for when they signed him - a stabilizing presence on the outside.
Still Climbing
Jackson’s not declaring victory just yet. “I don’t want to say I’m settled,” he said.
“I don’t want to say I’m comfortable.” That mindset - staying hungry, staying humble - is part of what’s helped him turn things around.
He’s also quick to give credit to his teammates for helping him through the rough patches.
“I tell the guys all the time that I appreciate them,” Jackson said. “They’ve been uplifting through the whole thing, through my journey of learning how they do things here.”
That journey isn’t over, but it’s on a much better trajectory than it was a month ago. And with the Eagles eyeing another deep playoff run, Jackson’s resurgence could be one of the under-the-radar developments that makes a big difference down the stretch.
Because while Quinyon Mitchell continues to shine as a rookie, having a reliable CB2 is essential - especially in Fangio’s system, where breakdowns on the outside can turn into six points in a heartbeat.
Right now, Jackson is holding his own. And after the way things started, that’s a win in itself.