Re-acquiring CB J.C. Jackson from the Chargers

Re-acquiring CB J.C. Jackson from the Chargers
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According to sources speaking to ESPN on Wednesday, the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to a deal for cornerback J.C. Jackson.

According to a source who spoke to ESPN, the Chargers will send Jackson and a 2025 seventh-round pick to New England while the Patriots will send them a 2025 sixth-round pick.

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According to sources speaking to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots and Chargers are rearranging Jackson’s remaining $9.33 million contract for 2023 to allow the deal, with New England covering about $1.5 million and the Chargers covering the rest as a signing bonus. Otherwise, according to the sources, Jackson’s contract, which is valid through the 2026 season, remains in place.

Christian Gonzalez, a promising rookie cornerback selected by the Patriots in the first round this year, hurt his shoulder during Sunday’s 38-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys for New England. Gonzalez is out indefinitely due to a ruptured labrum, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

After four seasons with the Patriots, Jackson agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Chargers last offseason. Jackson was a two-time All-Pro and had eight interceptions in his final season with New England, ranking second in the league. However, Jackson’s performance with the Chargers was never the same. Jackson’s career was characterized instead by legal issues, injuries, and underwhelming performance.

Prior to suffering a season-ending rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee in Week 7 of last year’s campaign, Jackson had a career-worst passer rating of 149.3 when targeted. The second-lowest passer rating Jackson has ever allowed when targeted this season is 72.0. He allowed a 46.8 passer rating in his final season in New England.

When Jackson was sidelined for the Chargers’ Week 3 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings while healthy for the first time since his rookie season, it appeared like things with Jackson and the team might be moving in this direction. Coach Brandon Staley stated that the intention when the Chargers signed Jackson throughout the offseason was to have him follow the top receivers of the opposition. Jackson was inactive even though the Chargers were using one of the best pass catchers in the league, Justin Jefferson.

After that game, Jackson claimed he was “confused” by being benched and that his health wasn’t fully recovered.

Jackson was present but did not participate in any plays during the Chargers’ subsequent game, which took place last Sunday against another top receiver in the league, Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders. He observed the Chargers’ second victory without him from the sidelines for the second week in a row, but this time while wearing a uniform.

Jackson, 27, appeared in seven games for the Chargers over the course of two seasons, recording one interception. In his first four NFL seasons with the Patriots, he collected 25 interceptions.

“He was here for some wonderful years. He’s wearing a Patriots uniform again, and that excites me. It will be amazing when he enters the building again, according to Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai.

Great player, said Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Obviously, he helped me a lot throughout my first year. He is quite distinctive—fast, aggressive, and has a great instinct for the ball.

Jackson will have the chance to play against his former team when the Patriots take on the New Orleans Saints this Sunday and the Chargers on December 3.

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