Undrafted in 2018, Jackson quickly climbed the ranks in New England, eventually earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2021. He led the NFL with 23 passes defended and recorded 17 interceptions in his final two seasons with the Patriots.
Entering 2022, Jackson secured a lucrative five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Los Angeles team, hoping to fill a void in their secondary. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned for the cornerback known as Mr. INT.
Jackson struggled to fit into Brandon Staley’s defensive scheme, battling early-season injuries and facing difficulties in his initial games. Eventually, he was benched in Week 6 and suffered a season-ending patellar tendon tear in Week 7, limiting him to just five games.
Despite making a return to the lineup in 2023, Jackson continued to struggle. In Week 1, he allowed 99 yards and a touchdown on three catches, along with a costly defensive pass interference penalty and an interception against Miami. The following weeks saw him as a healthy scratch and not getting any playing time in a win over Las Vegas.
When asked about the Chargers’ decision to bench him in Week 3, Jackson expressed his confusion during an interview with NFL Network’s Bridget Condon.
Shortly after, the Chargers traded Jackson, with reports stating that they are covering the majority of his $12 million guaranteed salary in order to facilitate the deal. As part of the transaction, the Bolts picked up Essang Bassey, a former Broncos cornerback, off waivers.
Injuries have plagued the Patriots’ secondary, with Gonzalez’s potential season-ending injury being the most recent setback. The first-round pick had an impressive start to his career, earning the Defensive Rookie of the Month award for September and establishing himself as a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Hoping that Jackson’s familiarity with the defense will aid in his recovery, the Patriots look to get him back on track after his challenging transition to the West Coast.
