THE JACKSON FILE
Super Bowl Champion, LIII
Second-team All-Pro, 2021
Signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract
By Lenn Robbins
Call this another New England Patriots/Bill Belichick test case.
The Pats coach has become known for not shelling out for his own free agents, or free agents to be. He’s traded players who were seemingly at the top of their profession. In most cases Belichick has come out looking like a psychic. Most of the players he opted not to retain have not found the same success away from New England.
Enter cornerback J.C. Jackson who was heading into his fifth season with the Pats.
Belichick opted not to sign him to a lengthy deal. The Chargers, whose defense has been horrendous of late, quickly stepped in, inking Jackson to a five-year, $82.5 million contract. The Pats will receive a high compensatory pick in the 2023 draft.
Now all eyes will be looking to see if the Belichick Curse lives or if Jackson, who has made 25 interceptions and 53 passes defensed in his first four seasons, thrives on the West Coast. The Chargers had just 11 interceptions last season. Jackson had nine.
Will the Chargers be rewarded by signing a lockdown corner? Or will the Chargers come to learn they overpaid and have salary cap issues? For that matter, the Pats might risk starting a rookie at cornerback but have better cap space?
Call it the $82.5-million question.