Patriots Secure CB J.C. Jackson from Chargers in Thrilling Return

The New England Patriots have made a significant move by trading for cornerback J.C. Jackson from the Los Angeles Chargers, according to sources at ESPN.

As part of the trade, the Patriots are giving up a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Chargers, while receiving Jackson and a 2025 seventh-round pick in return.

In order to facilitate the trade, the Patriots and Chargers are renegotiating Jackson’s remaining $9.33 million salary for 2023. New England will cover around $1.5 million, with the Chargers covering the remainder in the form of a signing bonus, as reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Jackson’s contract, which runs through the 2026 season, will stay intact otherwise.

Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who was showing promise for the Patriots, suffered a shoulder injury in their recent game against the Dallas Cowboys. Sources have revealed that Gonzalez has a torn labrum and will be out indefinitely, says ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

J.C. Jackson signed a lucrative five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Chargers last year, following four successful seasons with the Patriots. During his final year in New England, Jackson earned All-Pro honors and ranked second in the NFL with eight interceptions. However, his time with the Chargers was marred by legal issues, injuries, and underwhelming performance.

Last season, Jackson had a career-worst 149.3 passer rating when targeted before suffering a patellar tendon rupture in his right knee in Week 7. This season, he currently has a 72.0 passer rating when targeted, which is the second worst of his career. In his final season with the Patriots, he allowed a passer rating of 46.8.

The signs of trouble between Jackson and the Chargers were evident when he was a healthy inactive for the first time since his rookie season in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings. Despite the Chargers signing Jackson with the intention of having him cover opposing teams’ top receivers, he was not included in the game. Jackson expressed confusion about the benching, citing his ongoing recovery from injury.

In the Chargers’ subsequent game against the Las Vegas Raiders, with star receiver Davante Adams in the lineup, Jackson was active but did not play a single snap. He remained on the sideline for the second consecutive week, albeit in uniform, as the Chargers secured their second win without him.

During his time with the Chargers, Jackson played seven games over two seasons and recorded just one interception. In his first four NFL seasons with the Patriots, he had an impressive total of 25 interceptions.

Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai expressed excitement about Jackson’s return to the team, stating, “He had great years when he was here. I’m excited to see him back in a Patriot uniform.” Likewise, quarterback Mac Jones commented, “Great player. Obviously, he taught me a lot my rookie year. He is very unique — fast, aggressive, very good knack for the ball.”

The Patriots have upcoming games against the New Orleans Saints and the Chargers, providing Jackson with an opportunity to face his former team.