The 2022 Patriots offseason is starting off with more controversy that doesn’t involve text messages from Bill Belichick being sent to Brian Flores.
In a conversation with Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston, Patriots cornerback JC Jackson, now an unrestricted free agent, said he has not heard from the team this offseason and he is not happy about it. Despite how he feels, he is not closing the door on returning to the team, even if that means playing under the tag.
“I love the game,” said Jackson. “If they tag me, I’m gonna go out there and play.”
However the lack of contact thus far doesn’t seem to be sitting too well with the 26 year old corner, inarguably the top free agent at his position this offseason.
“I guess they feel like they don’t need me,” he said. “I guess I can’t be that important to them. I know I am, but they’re not showing me.”
The Patriots approached Jackson during the season, but he preferred to focus on his play on the field, which was a gamble on himself that he could increase his value, which seems to have paid off.
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“It was all positive things,” said Jackson. “I wanted to focus on ball at the time. I wanted to finish the season the right way. I didn’t really come back to them on it.”
“I’m taking it day by day. But it’s time for me to get paid. It’s time to get Mr. INT paid.”
If Jackson were to receive the tag, he’d be due approximately $17 million in 2022, a major raise from his 2021 restricted free-agent tender of $3.4 million.
In 2021, Jackson had eight picks to go along with a league-leading 23 pass deflections for New England’s defense.
