The New England Patriots have bid farewell to cornerback J.C. Jackson, marking the conclusion of his second stint with the team. Jackson’s departure was announced by the Patriots on Friday, bringing an end to his tenure after being acquired from the Chargers during the 2023 season.
Initially brought in to bolster the Patriots’ defense following an injury to rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Jackson contributed to the team’s efforts with appearances in eight games, including six starts. During his brief time with New England, Jackson tallied 25 tackles and defended six passes.
Jackson, 28, originally joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and swiftly rose through the ranks to earn Pro Bowl honors in 2021, leading the league with 23 passes defended that season. Over his first four seasons with the Patriots, Jackson showcased his prowess by notching 25 interceptions.
Following the 2021 season, Jackson explored free agency and secured a lucrative five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Chargers, aiming to bolster their defensive lineup alongside stars like Joey Bosa and Derwin James. However, his tenure in Los Angeles was marred by early-season injury setbacks and subsequent benching, culminating in a season-ending patellar tendon tear in 2022.
Despite a promising start to the 2023 season with the Chargers, Jackson’s reliability came into question, leading to his eventual trade back to the Patriots. However, ongoing concerns regarding his availability ultimately led to his placement on the non-football illness reserve list by Week 10, signaling the end of his tenure with New England once again.
