While JC Jackson should be able to help the New England Patriots for the rest of the 2023 NFL season, the main reason behind why they were able to make a surprise trade for the one-time Pro Bowler should be cause for locker-room concern.
In the spring of 2022, JC Jackson hit the NFL free agent market and was seen as, arguably, the best defensive back available. Unsurprisingly, the Pro Bowler landed a big money contract from the Los Angeles Chargers for five years and $82 million. However, that deal quickly became disastrous for the AFC West organization.
Related: New England Patriots make surprise trade for reunion with 1-time Pro Bowler
He was limited to just five games in his debut season after rupturing his patellar tendon, and in 2023 he was not close to the player that became a star with the New England Patriots. In Week 3, the Chargers made him a surprisingly healthy scratch, with his poor play and a recent arrest warrant likely being the causes for the decision.
In Week 4, Jackson was returned to the active roster but never took the field. Then his time with the team came to a stunning end when he was actually traded back to the Patriots last week. Well, it seems there was one final straw that made LA decide they had had enough of dealing with the mercurial 27-year-old.
- JC Jackson stats (2023): 2 games, 3 tackles, 1 interception
New England Patriots players refused to play in Week 4 while still with Los Angeles Chargers
On Sunday morning, NFL Media league insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero revealed an alarming situation that occurred on the Chargers sideline this past weekend.
“Sources say Jackson repeatedly refused to go into the game against the Raiders on Oct. 1, standing on the sideline with his shoes untied even when a teammate was banged up and needed to come off the field. Multiple coaches attempted to persuade Jackson — a healthy scratch for the Chargers’ Week 3 game against Minnesota — to enter the game in the third quarter after Michael Davis injured his ankle. Jackson refused, saying, among other things, that he wasn’t warm enough to play, per sources.”
– NFL Media report
While one would assume that JC Jackson should be excited and motivated to prove himself back with the team that turned him into a star, the fact that a huge financial obligation to the Chargers could not refocus him is worrying. Especially on a Patriots team that has already struggled this season and seems to lack leaders in the locker room.