Has Kareem Jackson Played Himself Into A New Deal With The Texans?

When he was drafted out of Alabama back in 2010, Texans fans hoped Kareem Jackson was going to be a starting corner in Houston for the next decade. Then he hit the field as a rookie and things weren’t so rosy.

Over the next couple of seasons (especially with the arrival of Wade Phillips and Johnathan Joseph), K-Jax improved and began to impress. He even earned the “shutdown corner” tag from our very own Brett Kollmann.

Fast forward five years, and the mere idea of him being a man on an island was utterly ludicrous.

Then, earlier this season, what had been rumored to happen for years finally became reality: Jackson slid into the safety spot when Andre Hal was tragically diagnosed with Lymphoma.

Next up on the K-Jax Roller Coaster came his return to corner when starting cornerback Kevin Johnson and nickel cornerback Aaron Colvin went down with injuries.

If the Houston Texans were performing well as a team, fully living up to the talent on the roster, Jackson’s current performance might not stand out. But with so little to write about “star performances” this season outside of J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins, Jackson undoubtedly stands out.

Jackson is playing the final year of the four-year extension he signed with the Texans back in 2015, so he’ll be a free agent after the season. Over at the Chronicle, Aaron Wilson seems to think Kareem Jackson should get a new contract with the Texans.

Jackson looks deserving of a new deal.

He ranks third on the Texans with 35 tackles has three for losses and leads the team with two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

He had a 92.1 grade against the Bills, according to Pro Football Focus, with a 17.1 passer rating against him when targeted. He allowed just four catches on 10 targets for 51 yards with 39 yards allowed on one play.

“Yeah, he’s having a good year,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s been a very productive player, very versatile player, smart, can do different things.

”He can play safety, he can play nickel, he can play on the outside, has made big plays for us. He’s made plays on the ball which are important. He had a good game.”

What’s your take? Is K-Jax worth locking down for another few seasons or should the Texans brass let him walk at the end of the year? Or would you sign him to perhaps package him in a trade for Patrick Peterson or an offensive lineman in the future?

Give us your thoughts in the comments box.