The New England Patriots bolstered an already strong defense on Wednesday with a surprise reunion with a former homegrown talent they developed into a Pro Bowler.
The start of the 2023 NFL season has not been a good one for the New England Patriots as they enter Week 5 with a sad 1-3 record. While their new-look offense continues to struggle under quarterback Mac Jones, the unit that is top-10 in our latest NFL defense rankings has been the main bright spot in a frustrating season.
While they are giving up just over 24 points a game, they are in the top 10 when it comes to total and passing yards against in the NFL this season. That is why if the organization did make any moves ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline it would likely be to improve the offense. However, this morning they made a deal that will actually help strengthen their defense for the rest of 2023.
New England Patriots swing surprise trade for JC Jackson
NFL Media league insider Ian Rapoport broke the news that “The Patriots are trading for Chargers CB JC Jackson. A reunion! The compensation is a swap of late-round picks. Back where he started.”
- JC Jackson stats (Patriots): 62 games, 25 interceptions, 158 tackles
Jackson was a healthy scratch in Week 3 for the Chargers, and many assumed it was due to his poor play this season after missing much of 2022 after rupturing his patellar tendon. However, it was revealed soon after that he may have been benched due to ongoing legal troubles after missing a probation hearing stemming from speeding charges in 2021 when he was a member of the Patriots.
Related: New England Patriots blowout Week 4 loss has Bill Belichick, Mac Jones at a crossroads
The one-time Pro Bowler was one of the top free-agent secondary players in 2022 and New England was unable to keep him after Los Angeles gave him a five-year, $82.5 million deal. The 27-year-old was an undrafted free agent the team added in 2018 and molded into one of the better corners in the league by 2021 before he made his jump onto the open market.
Jackson will replace talented rookie corner Christian Gonzalez who reportedly tore his labrum in the team’s Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and is expected to be sidelined indefinitely.
After the news, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that the two teams agreed to a reworked contract for Jackson that will mean the Pats will only have to pay $1.5 million of what’s left on his contract for 2023.