The New England Patriots let the franchise-tag deadline pass on Monday afternoon without opting to use any tags on cornerback J.C. Jackson, per the NFL’s transaction wire. That means Jackson is set to enter free agency next week when the league year opens on Wednesday. He can begin negotiations with NFL teams on Monday when the tampering period opens.
His market will be robust, as he was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in 2021 and the best No. 2 cornerback in the NFL in 2020 when he played behind Stephon Gilmore. His skills as a ballhawk made history when he tied the NFL record for interceptions in a player’s first four seasons with 25.
As expected, the #Patriots did not slap the franchise tag on JC Jackson. He is now a free agent.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 8, 2022
The Patriots added Jackson as an undrafted free agent in 2018 out of Maryland. He earned his way onto the roster before establishing a role on defense as a rookie, working both in the slot and outside. By his second season, he had taken on a substantial role in the team’s cornerback rotation. By 2020, he was the team’s No. 2 corner and in 2021, the team relied on him to be CB1.
It is unlikely New England, which has just $14 million in cap space, will be able to retain Jackson. He will likely have too many suitors on the open market.
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