The Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots have agreed to a trade that will send Pro Bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson back to New England, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The two teams are exchanging late-round picks to complete the deal.
Jackson, who played for the Patriots from 2018-21, signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Chargers in free agency last offseason. However, he struggled in his first season with the team, recording just 28 tackles and two interceptions.
The Patriots, meanwhile, were in need of a cornerback after losing Jalen Mills to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. Jackson is a proven playmaker who can give the Patriots a boost in the secondary.
The trade is a win-win for both teams. The Chargers get rid of a player who didn’t live up to expectations, and the Patriots get a Pro Bowl cornerback to help their defense.
Analysis
The trade is a bit of a surprise, given that Jackson just signed a long-term contract with the Chargers last offseason. However, it’s clear that he didn’t fit well in Los Angeles. Jackson is a physical corner who excels at press coverage, but he wasn’t able to make the transition to the Chargers’ off-man coverage scheme.
The Patriots, on the other hand, are a perfect fit for Jackson. They run a press-man coverage scheme, and Jackson has thrived in that system in the past. He’s also a familiar face in New England, having played there for four years.
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Sources: The #Patriots are trading for #Chargers CB JC Jackson. A reunion! The compensation is a swap of late-round picks. Back where he started. pic.twitter.com/7h0A7iJcJS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2023For the Chargers, the trade frees up some salary cap space, which they could use to sign other players in the offseason. It also allows them to move forward with other cornerbacks, such as Asante Samuel Jr. and Michael Davis.
For the Patriots, the trade gives them a much-needed boost in the secondary. Jackson is one of the best corners in the NFL, and he should help to improve New England’s defense significantly.
What’s Next
The Chargers will now need to find a replacement for Jackson. They could look to sign a cornerback in free agency, or they could draft one in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Patriots, meanwhile, will need to figure out how to fit Jackson into their defense. They already have two good cornerbacks in Jonathan Jones and Mills, so it will be interesting to see how they deploy all three players.
Overall, the trade is a good one for both teams. The Chargers get rid of a player who wasn’t working out for them, and the Patriots get a Pro Bowl cornerback to help their defense.
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