Report: Patriots Place Second-Round Tender On J.C. Jackson

The New England Patriots made a decision on J.C. Jackson. Head coach Bill Belichick has made a bunch of signings, and now the Patriots are placing a second-round tender on the cornerback. Ian Rapoport from NFL Media was among the first to confirm the decision.

The Patriots placed the tender on Jackson hours before the deadline. If signed, this tender will give Jackson $3.384 million in 2021. If another NFL team signs the cornerback to an offer sheet and Belichick declines to match the offer, the Patriots would get a second-round draft pick.

A first-round tender would have given Jackson $4.766 million. An original-round tender would have brought a 2021 salary of $2.183 million.

Patriots place tender on Jackson for a reason

Jackson is one of the league’s top ball hawks this past season. He had nine interceptions in 16 games and added two fumble recoveries. Miami Dolphins All-Pro Xavien Howard is the only player with more picks than Jackson. Jackson had 11 total takeaways, and he ranks second in Patriots history. Mel Hall had 13 in 1964.

However, 2020 wasn’t really an impeccable season for Jackson. He had some struggles when Stephon Gilmore stayed on the sidelines due to injuries. He surrendered five touchdown passes and 584 total receiving yards, per PFF. Jackson let up just one TD and 590 yards in his first two seasons combined.

“I feel like I had an OK season,” he said in late December after being snubbed from the AFC Pro Bowl roster. “I could have done much better. In some games, I could have played better, better performance. I’ll never give myself credit. I can be way better than I was this year, trust me. They haven’t seen nothing yet.”

Jackson entered the league as an undrafted rookie in 2018. He has allowed receptions on 52.2 percent of his targets in coverage and had a passer rating against of 44.5. His 17 career interceptions rank second in the NFL in that period, and he trailed only Howard (18).

How will Belichick handle his other cornerbacks? Gilmore will earn $7 million in 2021 and he is a good trade candidate. Jason McCourty is an unrestricted free agent.