New England Patriots: Reckless posture is botching things with J.C. Jackson
The New England Patriots‘ best cornerback and best defensive back in 2020 was J.C. Jackson, a third-year corner from Maryland. To make that fact even more poignant, he was an undrafted free agent and is now entering his fourth season as a restricted free agent.
As such, the Patriots had to either tender him or let him become an unrestricted free agent. They did so at a second-round level, another gaffe. He delivers first-round production any day of the week.
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They should remain from drafting corners at all because of their penchant for drafting flops in the draft. Early and often.
When they do draft there, it’s usually a nightmare scenario. But let’s get to Jackson who has been anything but.
Why the New England Patriots are acting dodgy when it comes to a contract for Jackson
Let’s take a look at Jackson’s two years in blue, silver, red, and white and see if what New England has done with him thus far makes any sense whatsoever.
When you talk cornerbacks, his first three seasons have been remarkable. He played in 13 games his first season and logged three interceptions (INT’s), Good start.
In his second season, he played in all 16 and upped that total to five interceptions, and last season he really exploded onto the scene and had a major total of nine interceptions.
To say he’s been exceptionally productive is a gross understatement. He’s been fantastic. Yet, rather than signing him to a long-term extension, New England is playing games with him.
It’s a bad strategy when a solid contract with a good lump of guaranteed money has been earned by this player and he’s not being shown any love by the New England Patriots brass.
Jackson’s progression and improvement year-to-year is exactly what you’d hope for in any player whether a first-rounder or a UDFA.
Since their high draft picks in the defensive backfield mostly can’t play at all, he should be handled with kid gloves.
Reports now are suggesting that he is not happy with his contract situation regarding an extension. What a shock. Don’t blame him.
If he’s worth the second-round tender they placed on him (again, it should have been a first), he’s certainly valued by the Patriots. So why won’t they pay him?
Once again they fiddle around, alienate a top player, and then off he goes when he hits free agency. But oh, they’ll get a compensatory pick for him. Great.
Don’t expect that to deliver much. Their draft history is an insult to bad draft histories.
So, here we go again. A young super talent who might very well sign a good but not necessarily budget-busting contract with the team because of their early full faith and trust in him could be on his way to telling the team, see ‘ya.
This posturing by New England is not only bad optics for other players who see a really productive colleague not being given his due, but it’s bad personnel management pure and simple. Really bad.
With Stephon Gilmore‘s situation seemingly in flux and his possibly being on the trading block, it’s even more incumbent on New England to wrap up a long-term deal with Jackson now.
Jackson’s nine interceptions were the second-most last season in the NFL behind only Xavien Howard of Miami who had 10. The next closest had six. Jackson is one of the most productive corners in the league in that respect and he’s getting better every season.
What is New England waiting for to give him his duly earned reward of a new contract? Answer: who knows, it’s the New England Patriots.
They often make little or no sense in their personnel determinations. Not convinced? See the Tom Brady case as the signature example of the Patriots’ bumbling personal and personnel mismanagement.
dark. Next. Elerson Smith a possible draft steal
Let’s hope this befuddled bunch comes to their senses before Jackson does what others have in the past, becomes disenchanted with this team’s irrationality, and leaves. That, for sure, would be a shame.