Last offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers appeared to be building a behemoth of a defense when they dove deep into free agency and signed cornerback JC Jackson away from the New England Patriots on a five-year, $82.5 million contract.
Not even two years later, Jackson is returning to the Patriots. On Wednesday, the Chargers reportedly agreed to a trade with New England to send the cornerback across the country just a few days after he was benched against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jackson, who was confused by the team's decision not to play him, had been dealing with some off-field controversy the week prior when a warrant was issued for his arrest in Massachusetts for missing a deadline to pay for a speeding ticket. The writing was clearly on the wall.
He's being extradited! Just kidding. Jackson said "everything is handled" with the warrant, but it appears the Chargers were fed up with his lackluster play and needless distractions.
Jackson will return to where it all began. New England signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and he wasted no time becoming one of the best corners in the league ... but since his move to LA it appears the Chargers weren't sold on his abilities.
🚨 🚨 🚨
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2023
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
Chargers trading JC Jackson back to Patriots in stunner after controversy
Unfortunately for Jackson and the Chargers, his tenure in LA will last just seven games. He tore his patellar tendon in Week 7 last year and was benched in his return Week 1 of this season after getting torched by the Miami Dolphins -- not the greatest oppoenet to face after a return from a major knee injury.
Jackson was then inactive for the team's Week 3 game against the Vikings as a result of the arrest warrant before being benched this past Sunday. The Chargers are 2-0 when he doesn't play and 0-2 when he does this year.
Trade: The #Chargers are sending CB JC Jackson to the #Patriots for a swap of late-round picks, per @RapSheet. LA signed Jackson to a 5-year, $82.5M contract last offseason and things just didn't work out. Now back to New England. pic.twitter.com/eo4x6pV4OI
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 4, 2023
LA seemed to have adapted well with Asante Samuel Jr. and Michael Davis as its two starting cornerbacks in wins over the Vikings and Raiders, but now the team's depth will be tested with Jackson's departure.
The Chargers have a bye this week, so that gives them a bit more time to prepare for this momentous move with games against the Cowboys and Chiefs on deck.
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