The New England Patriots find themselves in a limited number of favorable positions for both the present and future, but one area that stands out is the cornerback position. While the team faced a setback last season with the promising rookie Christian Gonzalez suffering a shoulder injury, he is expected to return next season to complement Jonathan Jones once again. However, the situation is different for JC Jackson, the player acquired by the Patriots to replace Gonzalez.
Jackson’s tenure with the Patriots was marked by controversy, including a trade where the Chargers practically gave him away, and a suspension by the Patriots for violating curfew. Pro Football Focus suggests that Jackson is likely to be released by the Patriots this year, regardless of the off-field issues. His on-field performance was also subpar, with PFF ranking him 127th out of 127 cornerbacks in the NFL, earning him a season grade of 34.8.
Cutting Jackson would result in a significant financial gain for the Patriots, saving them $14.4 million in salary space and boosting their total salary cap to approximately $90 million. Brad Spielberger of PFF emphasizes that this move is expected, especially considering the inflated salaries inherited from the Chargers and Jackson’s persistently low performance grade. With the return of Christian Gonzalez in 2024, the Patriots anticipate having a new top-tier cornerback for the future.
Jackson’s journey began as an undrafted free agent with the Patriots in 2018, where he quickly became a success story, contributing to a Super Bowl victory and earning a Pro Bowl designation in 2021. His career took a turn when he secured a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. However, his performance declined, leading to the Chargers seeking an exit from the deal just weeks into his first season. The Patriots then reacquired him through a late-round pick swap in October of the previous season.
