The Chargers’ defense is already weak in 2025, and cornerback Donte Jackson is a player who excels every week but rarely gets the flowers he deserves.
Pro Football Focus confirms secret superstar For each team, they are contributors who continue to win games and achieve results without national recognition, and representing the Bolts is Jackson.
Jackson excelled in the Chargers’ zone-heavy scheme, earning a 79.9 zone PFF coverage grade, which ranked 13th among cornerbacks. He is tied for the league lead in zone interceptions (four). Jackson’s 16.3 coverages per catch ranked 12th among NFL cornerbacks.
Los Angeles signed Jackson to a two-year, $13 million contract last offseason, with $7 million guaranteed. While Jackson was signed to serve as a veteran presence in a cornerback room that was primarily composed of young players, he went on to become the primary starter and playmaker on the defense.
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Jackson’s four interceptions tied him for the second-most of his career while also adding 12 passes defended. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Jackson has a passer rating of 67.3 and is the closest defender.
After proving himself, Jackson will be a key figure in a defense that will likely have a new head coach next season, with Jesse Minter generating a lot of head coaching buzz.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: PFF names this player Chargers’ ‘secret superstar’ in 2025