It was just over a month ago that the New England Patriots re-acquired former Pro Bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson from the Los Angeles Chargers in a trade.
That deal came after several issues between Jackson and the Chargers’ organization after they signed him to a five-year, $82.5 million contract back in March of 2022. In fact, Chargers general manager Tom Telesco just recently apologized to his team for making that signing.
Now back in New England, where he played from 2018-21, things are not looking better for the former Pro Bowler.
According to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Media, Jackson will not make the trip with the rest of his Patriots team to Germany for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.
“With questions about his reliability, the decision was made to have him stay home, get through the bye and return in a better place,” report on J.C. Jackson.
Other reports indicate that the Patriots opted to sit Jackson early during last week’s game against the Washington Commanders after he missed curfew the night before. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, “reliability issues have long plagued Jackson.”
Jackson, 27, was absolutely tremendous for the New England Patriots after they signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland back in 2018. He recorded a whopping 25 interceptions in five seasons with the team, earning Pro Bowl nods and second-team All-Pro honors in 2021.
This landed Jackson that huge contract with Los Angeles ahead of the 2022 season. Unfortunately, Jackson suffered a non-contact patellar tendon rupture during a Week 7 game against the Seattle Seahawks and missed the remainder of the campaign. His rehab was long and daunting. But he made it back this season before struggling with the Chargers.
Jackson’s on-field struggles have since continued in New England.
“Well, it’s been a transition. I think his off-field training and physical health and conditioning has definitely improved. So, he’s done a good job working at that. Just the consistency in the secondary from everybody is something we need to do a better job of,” New England Patriots’ Bill Belichick on Jackson.
The veteran has yielded a 102.6 QB rating in five games (three starts) since returning to New England.
There is no telling what is happening as it relates to Jackson and his personal life. Those details have not been released. However, the Pats are now behind the proverbial eight-ball as they look to turn around a lost season.
Related: New England Patriots standing in Sportsnaut’s NFL defense rankings
Cornerback issues plaguing the New England Patriots
At 2-7 on the season, New England is pretty much playing out the string. Questions continue to pop up regarding head coach Bill Belichick’s future with the team.
The on-field backdrop is a questionable cornerback situation heading into Sunday’s game against the Colts in Germany.
In addition to J.C. Jackson not making the trip, New England lost rookie first-round pick Christian Gonzalez for the season with a torn right labrum on Oct. 1. He had been playing stellar football at the time of the injury. Second-year cornerback Jack Jones was also bumped down the depth chart recently after struggles on his own part and some off-field issues.
Third-year cornerback Shaun Wade is expected to continue getting more playing time, as cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino said on Tuesday.
“I’m not trying to create a narrative. I trust all my guys. They all went in and played. I think it’s what Shaun did to earn that right. Shaun had a great week of practice. Shaun played really well and did his job. Shaun is a different player than what he has been in the past. He got what he deserved.”
New England Patriots’ Mike Pellegrino told reporters
New England’s previously stout defense heads into Week 10 yielding an average of 25.3 points per game, the seventh-highest mark in the NFL. This unit has given up 12 touchdowns through the air compared to five interceptions.
At the very least, it doesn’t seem as if Jackson will be suiting up for the Patriots any time soon. It’s a far cry from his dominant performnace with the team back in 2021.