Chargers Expert Details Why JC Jackson's Stock Is Down Heading Into 2023

The former Pro Bowl cornerback had a down year for LA.

Jun 14, 2022; Costa Mesa, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson (27) during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After winning a Super Bowl and being named an All-Star and Second Team Pro Bowler while with the New England Patriots, cornerback J.C. Jackson cashed in big-time. 

The 6'1" vet out of Maryland inked a five-year, $82.5 million contract with your Los Angeles Chargers in 2022, and had a miserable, injury-ridden first run with LA.

Clark Dalton of Yardbarker writes that he considers Jackson's value to have nosedived after he suited up for just five contests in 2022, and then incurred a non-contact patellar tendon rupture, which ended his year.

Dalton adds (via Pro Football Reference) that Jackson permitted a career-worst 149.3 passer rating across those five bouts.

Per Dalton, thanks to a strong 2022 showing by reserve cornerback Michael Davis in Jackson's stead, he believes that the Bolts might look to move on from Jackson via trade. Davis nabbed 15 deflections across his 12 starts last year.

Last year, Jackson notched 15 combined tackles (12 credited to him alone, three assisted) and two passes defended. During his best pro year to date with New England in 2021 (albeit across a full 17-game season), he logged a career-best 58 combined tackles (44 solo, 14 assisted), eight interceptions at an average of 11.5 yards per, and 23 passes defended.

Jackson's still football middle-aged for his position, and could handily enjoy a bounce back season while helping to shore up the club's defense this year. Whether or not that endears him to GM Ted Telesco and his front office, or just enables them to trade him a bet more easily, remains to be seen. An even bigger question: will Brandon Staley opt to start Jackson at all, or will he stick with Davis? 

Time will tell.