J.C. Jackson’s final game in a Chargers uniform included an act of defiance that preceded him being traded to the Patriots.
The cornerback refused to enter last week’s game against the Raiders, according to NFL.com, even when one of his teammates, Michael Davis, got hurt.
Coaches couldn’t persuade the 27-year-old, whose shoes were untied, to enter the game as he claimed he wasn’t warm enough to step on the field, according to the report.
Jackson, whom the Chargers signed to a five-year, $82.5 million contract in 2022, was a healthy scratch in Week 3.
During his first four seasons in the NFL with the Patriots, Jackson would reportedly sometimes miss the first series of a half to make sure he was loose.
Jackson never seemed to fit in with the Chargers, who decided to cut their losses and send the corner back to New England while swapping late-round picks in 2025.
The Patriots had a need at corner after rookie Christian Gonzalez suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
Gonzalez was the No. 17 overall pick in this year’s draft out of Oregon.
Jackson earned his way onto the Patriots roster in 2018 after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland, appearing in 13 games as a rookie while starting five.
He continued to improve each year, recording 17 total interceptions between 2020 and ’21, making the Pro Bowl in the latter season.
However, in his first year with the Chargers, Jackson was benched during a Week 6 game against the Broncos, and a week later he ruptured his Patellar tendon.
Perhaps a return to Foxborough will get Jackson’s career back on track — whenever he’s willing to step on the field.
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