It was an interesting offseason for veteran guard Gabe Jackson.
First, it was reported that the Las Vegas Raiders would release Jackson to free up salary cap space, but instead of that happening, the Raiders and Seahawks worked out a deal that sent him to Seattle in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
And while Jackson wasn't sure what his future held heading into the offseason, he's excited about where he landed once the dust had settled.
"All I know is I'm excited to join the 12s and meet my other brothers," Jackson said from Starkville, Mississippi on a video call with Seattle reporters, adding he's excited about, "the team, the players that I know are there, the coaching staff, the fan base, the 12s. I remember playing against them and how loud it gets there. They win. I want to be a part of an organization that's like that."
After spending his first seven seasons with the Raiders, where he started 99 out of 100 games played, Jackson is looking forward to fresh start for the first time in his NFL career.
"It almost feels like draft day, I feel like I'm a rookie all over again," he said. "I get to go somewhere and meet new people, and just start over."
Jackson started his career at left guard, then after two seasons he moved to right guard. It's not clear yet if the Seahawks plan to move him back to the left side, or to ask Damien Lewis, last year's starting right guard, to move to the left side, but regardless of where he ends up—Jackson said those conversations haven't happened with coaches yet—he'll be comfortable either way.
"You always have to get used to whatever side you're on, it's a switch-up, of course," he said. "Your body adjusts and learns ways of movement. But it's doable, and whatever the team wants me to do, the coach wants me to do, I'm for it."
But while Jackson hasn't yet determined with coaches which spots he'll call home, he has had conversations with most of the offensive coaching staff and several players, including Russell Wilson, Duane Brown and Lewis. Asked about his chat with his new quarterback, Jackson said, "He was excited. I don't know if he was excited as me, but we're both excited to work together."
Jackson, who was named the Raiders' Ed Block Courage Award winner for the way he overcame a 2019 knee injury, says toughness is one of his best traits.
"Physical, tough," he said when asked to describe his play. "I like to describe myself as tough as nails, because no matter what happens, I'm going to make sure I try to push through as much as possible. And I just want to win."
A look back at guard Gabe Jackson's first seven years in the NFL. Jackson was acquired in a trade with the Raiders on March 21. Read more: https://shwks.com/uq6a7t
FILE - In this Dec. 24, 2016, file photo, Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) is introduced before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Oakland, Calif. The Oakland Raiders have locked up another member of their stellar 2014 draft class, agreeing to a five-year extension to keep guard Gabe Jackson under contract through the 2022 season. A person familiar with the deal said Friday, June 30, 2017, that it is worth $56 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal and its terms have not been announced. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson looks on from the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won the game, 31-13. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) lines up in a two-point stance during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 26-24 in Week 16. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) pushes aside Oakland Raiders' Gabe Jackson after Sherman made an interception in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes as guard Gabe Jackson (66) blocks San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Ryan Carrethers (92) during an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Caraun Reid (97) rushes on Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
El quarterback de los Raiders de Oakland, Derek Carr, encima, celebra con el guard Gabe Jackson, a la izquierda, y el guard Jon Feliciano, luego de que los Raiders anotaran ante los Chargers de San Diego en la segunda mitad del juego del jueves 24 de diciembre de 2015 en Oakland, California. (Foto AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) prepares to block during an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at O.co Coliseum on September 20, 2015. The Raiders defeated the Raven 37-33. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) blocks during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016 in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won 33-25. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) blocks during a week 14 NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 21-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Jon Feliciano (76), guard Gabe Jackson (66) and strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) run onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016 in Mexico City. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson during the team's football minicamp Wednesday, June 15, 2016, in Alameda, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Gabe Jackson (66) blocks Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90)
during an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Raiders, 24-20. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson (57) and Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) exchange jerseys following an NFL football game on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (NFL Photos via AP)
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs, 31-30. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Gabe Jackson (66) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin, center, scores a touchdown behind guard Gabe Jackson (66) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Gabe Jackson (66) hydrates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Gabe Jackson (66) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden talks to Gabe Jackson before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Las Vegas Raiders offensive guard Gabe Jackson (66) in action during an NFL regular season football game against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020 in Las Vegas. The Dolphins won, 26-25. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Las Vegas Raiders offensive guard Gabe Jackson (66) in the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford, NJ. (Michael Owens via AP)
Oakland Raiders offensive lineman Gabe Jackson (66) looks on during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Raiders 42-24. (Joe Robbins via AP)
