By Joshua Stewart.
J.C. Jackson has returned home to the team he made his name at after being traded by the Los Angeles Chargers to the New England Patriots.
Swapping the west coast for the east, Jackson will be hoping he will be able to replicate his former success at his former team, under his former coach.
Having signed a reported $82.5 million contract after moving to the California side in the 2022 free agency, his form suffered after suffering an ankle injury in the off-season.
The Chargers gained a 2025 sixth round pick in exchange for sending Jackson and a 2025 seventh round pick to Foxborough.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was keen for more depth in the secondary after first round draft pick Christian Gonzalez was ruled out for the season after tearing his labrum.
The Patriots have had little to shout about this year with only one win in their first four games, but their defensive backs have proven to be at least a silver lining in a tough start to the season.
Four of the top six tacklers in the Patriots’ defence are defensive backs as well as 75% of all fumbles forced by the Patriots being credited to defensive backs. Cornerback Gonzalez is the only player in Massachusetts to record an interception.
Jackson brings with him an interception already to his name as well as three direct pass defences, making him one of the best against the pass among cornerbacks at the Chargers, despite playing in just two games so far.
With Belichick having to rely on his defence to try and win games as Mac Jones tries to revive any hope of a successful career in the Northeast, Jackson returns to a team that needs his help in the absence of their injured star rookie.
Jackson has already won a Super Bowl with the Patriots back in 2019 and the Patriots fanbase will be hoping he can reach the same heights as he did in his first stint in New England.
