Malik Jackson has been very good in his role for the Broncos the last two years. He is entering a contract season and is very aware of that fact. Jackson wants to prove himself as something more.

“That’s always in the back of your mind. It’s a big year for me. It’s my contract year. If I told you I wasn’t thinking about that, I’d be lying. I know what I have to do is go out here and produce and make it hard on Elway not to give it to me.” Jackson told us this morning at Dove Valley.

Jackson also talked about comparisons drawn between him and Seattle’s Michael Bennett. “I see it. He’s a fast and quick guy. He likes to just throw his hands and work moves. He just counters a lot. Just real shifty. I see myself wanting to be like that, especially get that paycheck like him. That would be nice.”

Jackson has compiled nine sacks in the last two seasons, mainly as a rotational player for the Broncos. “When you’ve got guys like Wolfe in there, who I shared snaps with last year, you know that he’s going to get his snaps and do his thing. I just looked at it as when I got my opportunity, I just had to go out there and just give it your all and go back to the sideline and keep doing it like that. I think with more snaps will come more production, I hope. That’s what I’m working for.”

Jackson is hopeful this switch to the 3-4 will give him just that.

Malik Jackson on 3-4 “I think it’ll be a good fit. Gives us more chances to rush the passer and 1on1 opportunities” pic.twitter.com/pmQ1aE7D8q

— BSNDenver.com (@BSNDenver) May 6, 2015

Jackson might really have to catch Elway’s eye for him to give him a big pay raise. Over the last few season’s, Elway has been more inclined to let players test the open market than to offer them contract extensions.  Hopefully for Jackson he will turn out more like Chris Harris, who proved himself and Elway rewarded with a multiyear contract extension, than that of Terrance Knighton, where he signed just a one year deal with Washington after hoping for the same fortune.