J.C. Jackson has found a new NFL home. The former New England Patriots cornerback was allowed to test NFL free agency after the team passed on using the franchise tag on him. Jackson will be playing in Los Angeles for the Chargers after agreeing to the contract terms.
J.C. Jackson expected to sign with Chargers
The Chargers are giving Jackson a five-year, $82.5 million deal that invoices $40 million guaranteed, numbers which were confirmed by Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson.
The former undrafted free agent is a huge get for the Chargers. During the first four seasons of his career, Jackson produced at least 3 interceptions in each campaign. He has collected a league-high 17 interceptions over the two seasons combined.
DespiteJackson’ss production, he’s only started 39 of the 62 games he appeared in for the Patriots. So, Jackson is just entering the prime of his career. He is clearly an ascending talent that Chargers felt was worth the massive payday.
Getting to know Jackson
Jackson, 26, was an undrafted free agent signing of the Patriots in 2018. Despite being buried on the depth chart, he was able to produce 3 interceptions during his rookie season. The Maryland alum quickly earned playing time over the next three seasons due to his playmaking ability.
Jackson started to become a fixture of the defense in his third season (2020). He produced 9 interceptions as he worked his way into the starting lineup. Last year, Jackson started all 17 games and generated 58 tackles, 23 pass breakups, 8 INTs, and a forced fumble. Those numbers helped Jackson get selected to his first Pro Bowl.
The 6-foot-1, 198-pound cornerback was Pro Football Network Lead NFL Analyst Dalton Miller’s top remaining free agent after wide receivers Davante Adams of the Green Bay Packers and Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers received the franchise tag.
Who else is on the market?
With Jackson’s landing spot now settled, the rest of the market will look to cash in. Cornerbacks such as Carlton Davis of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stephon Gilmore of the Carolina Panthers, Darious Williams of the Los Angeles Rams, and Casey Hayward Jr. of the Las Vegas Raiders should be able to attract lucrative long-term deals in the coming days.