FOXBORO — Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson wasn’t used to the results of Sunday’s 34-0 loss to the Saints (“I’ve never lost like that here.”), however he’s completely happy to be again in New England.
The Patriots reacquired Jackson in a commerce with the Chargers this week. Nineteen months after giving Jackson a five-year, $82.5 million contract in free company, the Chargers have been prepared to eat most of his 2023 wage whereas buying and selling him to the Patriots for a late-round decide swap.
NFL Media reported that Jackson refused to enter the Chargers’ Week 4 recreation in opposition to the Raiders. Jackson wasn’t involved in dwelling on the previous when requested concerning the report.
“I don’t want to speak on the Chargers,” Jackson mentioned. “I’m moving on. I’m with New England now, so I don’t want to go back and talk about that.”
Jackson thrives in man-to-man protection, and the Patriots know how you can get the perfect out of the 27-year-old cornerback in ways in which Chargers head coach Brandon Staley struggled to make the most of the one-time Pro Bowl choice.
“It’s nothing. It’s easy. It is second nature. I’m getting out there doing what I love to do,” Jackson mentioned. “This is my defense. This is the defense that I started with and made me who I am. So coming back here is just going back into doing what I do best. And I’m back.”
Jackson not too long ago advised reporters in Los Angeles that his knee wasn’t at 100% after surgical procedure to restore a season-ending patellar tendon harm final yr. On Sunday, he mentioned the knee is feeling “really good.”
“I’m getting there,” Jackson mentioned when requested if he’s near 100%.
Jackson led the NFL in interceptions in the course of the span of his earlier tenure with the Patriots from 2018 to 2021. He believes he can present a spark to a Patriots protection that has struggled with accidents and producing takeaways this season.
“Having that turnover can be contagious,” Jackson mentioned when requested how he may give the secondary a lift. “Once you get one turnover, they come in bunches. I think that’s what we’ve got to do as a secondary, start to create more take(aways). That’s going to be a big help to the team.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com