The Los Angeles Chargers have agreed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with former New England Patriots defenseman JC Jackson, including a guaranteed $40 million, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.
Jackson, who just completed his fourth NFL season with the Patriots, made his first Pro Bowl in 2021. His eight interceptions were the second most in the NFL, behind Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs’ 11.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick noted Jackson’s skill at inventing football during the season, when he said, “You leave trash lying around, he’ll pick it up.”
Jackson, who sometimes refers to himself by his nickname “Mr. INT”, has thrown 25 interceptions since joining the league with the Patriots in 2018 as an undrafted free agent from Maryland. The 25 picks are tied with Lester Hayes and Everson Walls for the most players in his first four seasons (since 1970).
At 6’1″ and 198 pounds, Jackson was also named an Associated Press Second Team All-Pro in 2021. He told NBC Sports Boston that he was approached by the Patriots about a contract extension during the season, but he decided to postpone. in negotiations before the end of the year.
Jackson, 26, has been resilient throughout his NFL career. He started in all 17 regular season games last season, and the team lost in the playoffs to the Buffalo Bills.
In total, he played in 67 games, including 42 starts (including the playoffs).
Mike Reiss of ESPN contributed to this report.