Pro Bowl CB JC Jackson Upset Over No Contract Talks Between Him and Patriots: “I Guess I Can’t Be That Important to Them”

New England Patriots drafted JC Jackson back in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. Since then, the pro bowler has gone on to have 25 interceptions. He also led the league in points defended this year. However, the Patriot way is a mysterious phenomenon.

The Patriots are again showing that they’ll let a good player go instead of paying them the big bucks. And Jackson has earned the big bucks. So, either through a franchise tag or through a new contract, the man plans to get paid this summer. 

Patriots gotta pay up!

Mr. INT is a befitting name for Jackson. He leads the league in interceptions in the last four years and has developed into a true value creator at his position. 

The Patriots on the other hand have historically let ace cornerbacks go. It happened with Stephon Gilmore last season with a trade to the Panthers and it also happened with Jason McCourty. Both were ex-teammates of Jackson.

It’s a seller’s market. The decline of top cornerbacks such as Stephon Gilmore has left a void in the free-agent market. If JC Jackson were to enter said market, one might see multiple teams showing interest and putting in their bids. 

The most sought after free agent: JC Jackson 

The 2nd Team All-Pro selection stood third in the league in QBR allowed. In a league that has a scarcity of skilled defenders, JC Jackson will be one of the most sought-after free agents this season. 

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Jackson has played the last four seasons with the Pats on a base salary deal. As an undrafted free agent, not much was expected out of the cornerback at first. But gradually, he grew into an interception machine. 

No talks between the two parties

As per Jackson, the team has still not contacted him about his future at the franchise. He told journalist Phil Perry, “I guess they feel like they don’t need me.” 

“I guess I can’t be that important to them. I know I am, but they’re not showing me.”

If the New England management wants to bring him back, they might go the tag route. They can use the franchise tag or the transition tag to keep Jackson in Boston. 

Cost of Tagging JC Jackson

As per reports, a franchise tag would cost the team around $17 million. Multiple cornerbacks have received big contracts in the last few years. Here are the top five cornerbacks in the league based on contract size: 

1. Jalen Ramsey: $20 million/ year 
2. Marlon Humphrey: $ 19.5 million/ year
3. Marshon Lattimore: $19.4 million/ year
4. Tre’Davious White: $17.3 million/ year
5. Darius Slay: $16.6 million/ year

The above list sets the price point for any other cornerback looking for a deal since one can argue that JS Jackson is just as skilled as the names on this list. 

New England Patriots have multiple free agents on their squad in this off-season. But arguably, none more so than JC Jackson.

It was also rumored that the Pittsburgh Steelers are already showing interest in Jackson if the Patriots were to ‘drop the ball’.

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