After signing a lucrative contract to join the Los Angeles Chargers as a free agent in 2022, cornerback J.C. Jackson is back with the team he elected to leave in free agency. The New England Patriots have acquired Jackson for a swap of late-round draft picks according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.
Jackson has failed to live up to the lofty expectations set forth by the five-year, $82.5 million contract he signed with the Chargers. His first and only full season with the Chargers in 2022 did not go as planned. Jackson was only able to suit up in five games due to rupturing his patellar tendon. In those five games, Jackson recorded 15 tackles and two pass deflections, a far cry from his 2021 Pro Bowl campaign.
In 2021, Jackson finished second in the NFL in interceptions (8) to go along with 23 pass deflections and 58 tackles. His incredible performance in 2021 enabled him to become one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL with the Chargers.
Unfortunately for Jackson and the Chargers, things have not gone as planned since Jackson arrived in Los Angeles. Now, he will have an opportunity to rebuild his value on a team where he already enjoyed the best years of his career before signing with the Chargers.
The Patriots decision to acquire Jackson via trade comes in light of the news that dynamic rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury. Jackson should immediately slot in as a viable replacement for Gonzalez in the short term.
