The Patriots have put J.C. Jackson in timeout and, as confirmed by league sources, he will not make the trip with the rest of the team to Germany.
The initial thought here is that Jackson can reassess his commitment to the Pats and football, and if he can convince Bill Belichick that he's all in, there could be room for a return. A team source called Jackson "unreliable and uncoachable" and noted that the cornerback was late to the team hotel Saturday, which resulted in him being sat for the first two series of the game Sunday against the Commanders (he still played 53 snaps. That'll show him).
Jackson was already dressed when reporters entered the locker room shortly after the Pats' loss, and as we gathered around his locker, the 27-year-old tersely said he wasn't talking and darted off. Belichick wouldn't admit that Jackson and Jack Jones (who sat the entire first quarter, now confirmed he too was late to the meeting) had been benched, repeating that all the players in the secondary played.
Asked about Jackson again on Monday and his transition back to New England, the head coach told us, "Well, it’s been a transition. I think his off-field training and physical health and conditioning – it has definitely improved. So, he’s done a good job working at that. Just the consistency in the secondary from everybody is something we need to do a better job of."
Not exactly robust praise, but not indicative that Jackson would be sent to his room with no supper less than 48 hours later.
Still, this is one of the least surprising results in a season that has not gone remotely as expected. The Pats had almost zero interest in retaining Jackson's services when he hit free agency after the 2021 season. I'm sure you read that they made a reasonable offer. I reported it then, and I'm here to tell you now those reports were bogus. Coaches were disgusted with Jackson's effort in the postseason loss at Buffalo, and he has long been someone whose maturity levels have challenged teams at every stop, be it the University of Maryland, New England, and, before his return here, in Los Angeles with the Chargers.
In fact, a recent story earlier this week detailed Jackson's woes on the West Coast after signing a megabucks deal with the Bolts. It got so bad the Chargers ate all but $1.5 million of Jackson's remaining contract to move him to the Pats. GM Tom Telesco reportedly apologized to the defensive backs room for signing Jackson in the first place and supporting the player even when it became clear that he was not nearly as committed to the team as everyone else.
But with Christian Gonzalez lost for the season after shoulder surgery back in week four, and at the time, Jack Jones being on IR with a hamstring problem, the Pats desperately needed bodies out there. Believing they had a chance to find success this season, the Pats took a deep breath, pinched their nose, and made the trade for Jackson. He started in Las Vegas and played better a week later in the upset of Buffalo, but his play deteriorated in Miami, and he surrendered a pair of touchdowns.
In his absence, the Pats will face the Colts overseas with Jon Jones, Jack Jones, Myles Bryant, and Shaun Wade as their cornerbacks.