Patriots Rumors: J.C. Jackson, Team Have 'Mutual Interest' in Return Despite Release

Two weeks after releasing J.C. Jackson, the New England Patriots aren't ruling out a reunion with the veteran cornerback.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots and Jackson have a "mutual interest" in a return that could happen down the line this offseason as the team figures out its cornerback room going into the 2024 season.

Jackson began his career with the Patriots, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland in 2018. He had an excellent first run with the club, capped off by being named to the All-Pro second team in 2021.

The Los Angeles Chargers made a big bet on Jackson by signing him to a five-year, $82.5 million deal as a free agent in March 2022. It did not pay off, as he was benched in Week 6 due to his struggles.

After returning to the field the following week, Jackson suffered a ruptured patellar tendon that ended his 2022 season. He was healthy for the start of the 2023 campaign and appeared in the Chargers' first two games, but was held out of the lineup for the next two games.

The Chargers traded Jackson to New England on Oct. 5 after Christian Gonzalez suffered a torn labrum. He appeared in eight games, including six starts, for the Patriots. His season ended after being placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on Dec. 19.

New England released Jackson on March 1 in a move that saved the team roughly $13.5 million in cap space prior to free agency.

Bringing back Alex Austin and placing the transition tag on Kyle Dugger are the only moves the Patriots have made in the secondary in the past week.

Assuming Gonzalez is healthy, he will likely be starting in the secondary next season. Jonathan Jones, who has started 30 games over the past two seasons, is likely locked into the other starting cornerback job.

Jackson would presumably be a depth piece for New England if he returns to the team for the 2024 season. He has recorded 158 combined tackles, 59 pass breakups and 25 interceptions in 70 career games with the Patriots.