Broncos “Negotiating In Earnest” With DL Malik Jackson

Mike Klis of 9News reports that the Broncos are “negotiating in earnest” with impending free agent DL Malik Jackson.

However, Klis adds that there hasn’t been enough progress to prevent the Jackson from testing the free agent market in the coming weeks.

Jackson recently mentioned during an appearance on Pro Football Talk Live that he’d “love” to be back in Denver next year, but he also admitted that this is a business.

“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 also added that he’d be okay if the Broncos elected to use their franchise tag on him in the coming weeks.

Broncos president John Elway told reporters on Tuesday that re-signing Jackson and LB Danny Trevathan are “priorities” for them, via Lindsay Jones. Elway added that they plan to begin speaking to their representatives right away.

Jackson, 26, is a former fifth-round pick of the Broncos back in 2012. He’s played out his four-year, $2,313,612 rookie contract and is in line to be one of the most sought after free agents in this year’s market.

In 2015, Jackson appeared in all 16 games for the Broncos and recorded 46 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, seven pass defenses and a safety. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 9 defensive end in a 3-4 defense out of 57 qualifying players.

We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2016 Free Agents list.