New England Patriots rumors: J.C. Jackson trade talk is just talk
New England Patriots cornerback J. C. Jackson is the subject of internet trade talk when he should be the subject of extension talks.
Internet chatter is speculating about possible trades by the New England Patriots of their rising star cornerback, J.C. Jackson. Two words sum up what the reaction to that talk should be, “ain’t happening.”
It makes no sense whatsoever to think of trading a guy who may be the next great cornerback of the New England Patriots after Stephon Gilmore. And by the way, they still have Gilmore making their current cornerback tandem probably the best in football.
The only issue with Jackson is that he is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which was only for 3 years since he unthinkably was not drafted and was signed by New England as another of their terrific Undrafted Free Agents. He’ll become a Restricted Free Agent (RFA) after this season.
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Nfl.com indicates what an RFA means,
"Restricted free agent (RFA): A player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. RFAs are free to negotiate and sign with any team, but their original team can offer them one of various qualifying offers (“tenders”) that come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation."
New England will almost certainly tender him at a minimum of a second-round or more likely the first-round level if he continues his rise up the ladder of the NFL’s best cornerbacks. But the best bet for New England is to tie him in a long-term deal now and provide him with the security and comfortability he’ll want.
Don’t’ play games with really good players. And Jackson is a really good player. He has racked up eight interceptions in his first two seasons. Five of them last season. He’s getting better and better. That’s real production. Game-changing production. There aren’t too many other corners in the league with that type of production. New England has two of them.
In addition, J.C. Jackson has really good size at 6’1″ and 198 pounds. He can cover anyone. And he won’t be 25 years old until November. Bill Belichick should get out his checkbook and sign this guy to a long-term deal now and forego any shenanigans. Top players deserve to be paid. Jackson is clearly a top player. Just pay the man.
Next season, New England will be shedding lots of cap space and will easily afford what another good, maybe great young cornerback is worth. Also, expect there will be additional players leaving after this season to create even more cap space making it likely that a major do-over for the Patriots will happen in 2021.
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This may even include an extension for one Cam Newton. Don’t underestimate that possibility. Newton is poised to deliver big for New England in a season where after the departure of No. 12 little was expected. That all changed with the signing of No. 1. As the great Michael Buffer, the ring announcer par excellence says, “let’s get ready to rumble!!!!” It’s time for the New England Patriots to get going.