Ex-Patriots star JC Jackson agrees to deal with AFC rival

The New England Patriots chose to let star cornerback JC Jackson walk in free agency, and they could see plenty of him going forward.

Jackson has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to multiple reports. The deal will pay him an average of $16.5 million annually, which makes him one of the highest-paid defensive backs in the NFL.

Chargers are giving former Patriots’ CB JC Jackson a five-year, $82.5 million deal that invoices $40 million guaranteed, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2022

Many thought the Patriots would use the franchise tag on Jackson, but they did not make any real effort to re-sign him. The 26-year-old has been an interception machine with 17 picks in the last two seasons and 25 since he came into the NFL in 2018.

Jackson went undrafted before he signed with New England. His path has been similar to that of Malcolm Butler, who is another undrafted cornerback who cashed in with a huge deal after leaving the Patriots. Bill Belichick has a good track record with developing cornerbacks, and he probably feels he can do the same to replace Jackson.

Photo: Nov 28, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson (27) reacts after intercepting a pass in the Tennessee Titans end zone in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports