Adoree’ Jackson thrilled to reunite with Giants in likely starting role after long free agency

Adoree’ Jackson walked through a door Monday he never considered to be closed.

Jackson returned to the practice field for the Giants for the first time since last season ended.

He spent more than five months as a free agent before re-signing a one-year contract Friday that represents a marriage of convenience between a player who needed another shot in the NFL and a team who needed help at cornerback.

“No animosity, no feelings, no ill intentions on my end,” Jackson said. “When I came in and saw everybody, it was like being at a family reunion. Like, ‘Damn, I haven’t seen you in a minute. Where have you been?’ When they hit me up, it wasn’t like I didn’t want to reach out or I didn’t want to pick up the phone. I understand that things [are] a business and I don’t ever want to put business with anything personal.”

Jackson, 28, wasn’t promised that he will reclaim the starting job that he held for the last three seasons, but the subtext is clear: If the Giants thought either Cor’Dale Flott or Nick McCloud had cleanly won a training-camp position battle to replace him as the No. 2 perimeter cornerback, reuniting with Jackson wouldn’t have felt so necessary.

Talks between the Giants and Jackson’s agent picked up within the last two weeks, the veteran said. He didn’t take any other free-agent visits but garnered “some interest around the league.”

“I wouldn’t say I sought any reassurance, but I know I sought being wanted back,” Jackson said. “When you’ve got that aspect of being wanted, you’re able to just do what you can to help the team, whatever role they give me.”

It sounds like a lot to ask Jackson to handle a full workload by Sunday’s season opener against the Vikings.

Jackson was lifting weights and doing speed training with his former high school track coach while relying on his knowledge base of positional drills to stay in shape, but slipping on pads and a helmet is still to come.

Jackson impressed head coach Brian Daboll in a workout on Friday. So, Flott and McCloud have a familiar new challenger.

“It’s the NFL, so you try to make it as competitive as you can make it,” Daboll said, “and we’ll play the guys we think give us the best chance.”

The terms of Jackson’s contract are expected to be incentivized based on playing time.

“Sixty snaps [on Sunday]? I don’t know, I might be gassed,” Jackson said. “I wouldn’t put a number of snaps I can play right now. We’re going to see this week, getting ramped up, working on my conditioning and seeing what I need.”

Jackson had two strong seasons for the Giants — including stifling the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson in a playoff victory after the 2022 regular season — before allowing 54 catches for 753 yards and two touchdowns last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

“I didn’t play to my best,” Jackson said. “If I could tell you why, I would.”

Several people inside Giants headquarters were unhappy with his tackling.

It was a turn from the unselfish interpretation of his willingness to move from the outside into the slot last summer to make way for rookie Tre Hawkins as a starter, though that experiment was ditched after two games.

“Regardless of any position you play, you have to get the man down with the ball in his hands. That’s something we stress for every player,” Daboll said. “I’m sure he’ll give everything he can give to try to be as ready as he can be.”

The process should be somewhat expedited by Jackson’s familiarity with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. Jackson played for the Titans under coordinator Dean Pees when Bowen was a linebackers coach forming his own playbook.

The Titans cut Jackson in 2021, when Bowen was made their defensive coordinator.

“Understanding some of the verbiage may have changed, but [it’s] easy for me to wire my mind on how to compartmentalize what these defenses may be and some of the calls, so I think that’s helpful,” Jackson said. “I know football shape is going to be a lot different from what I’ve been doing. But I always kept my mindset focused on being ready to go Week 1.”

Daboll left open the possibility that Jackson could return punts. Gunner Olszewski (groin) was laboring through practice last week, leaving sixth-year receiver Darius Slayton as another option.

But Slayton was happy to see Jackson back in the building.

“Adoree’ is definitely one of my favorite teammates I’ve had since I’ve been here,” Slayton said. “Some veteran savvy … as well as Adoree’ is only 28 years old so he certainly hasn’t fallen off the horse at all. He can still play at a high level.”