The New England Patriots are gearing up for a historic Week 10 bout in Germany against the Indianapolis Colts. They’ll be making that trip without cornerback J.C. Jackson—news courtesy of NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It seems the team has some trust issues with Jackson, which have been brewing thanks to a series of recent slip-ups.
#Patriots CB JC Jackson is not expected to travel with the team to Germany for their game against the #Colts, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. With questions about his reliability, the decision was made to have him stay home, get through the bye and return in a better place. pic.twitter.com/kNdbeI9RLs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2023
Patriots Taking Off For Germany Without Cornerback J.C. Jackson
Jackson, along with fellow defensive back Jack Jones, were late to the team’s hotel room last Saturday night before their matchup with the Washington Commanders, per MMQB’s Albert Breer. Breer also pointed out that this is far from the first time reliability has been a question for Jackson. Missing curfew earned both players a spot on the sidelines to start the game against the Commanders.
Like Belichick has done before with players such as Jamie Collins and others, he saw an opportunity to get back a player who once excelled in his system, but at a much lower price. He snagged Jackson back from the Chargers, exchanging late-round picks. He also managed to get the Chargers to pay a bulk of his salary—a bargain move.
Even with Jackson’s initial morale boost, his recent performance on the field has cast a long shadow. Since being back with the Patriots, the cornerback has allowed opposing quarterbacks to have a passer rating of 102.6. This is a far cry from the 46.7 he averaged in his first four years with the Patriots before leaving for the Chargers. His play had progressively gotten worse, leading to the Week 8 matchup with the Dolphins which saw two touchdowns on his watch.
Patriots CB JC Jackson was late to the team hotel on Saturday, per sources, which was a part of why he started Sunday's game vs. the Commanders on the bench. Now, as @RapSheet said, Jackson won't be making the trip to Germany.
Reliability issues have long plagued Jackson.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 8, 2023
Patriots Defensive Shuffle: Navigating New Challenges in Germany
Now, with the team setting their sights on Germany, the cornerback lineup is anything but set in stone. J.C. Jackson’s benching hints at changes afoot, while Jonathan Jones and Shaun Wade’s recent ascension to starting roles could signal a new defensive era for Belichick’s squad. Where does this leave Jack Jones going into the game in Frankfurt?
As the Patriots gear up for their international spotlight, it’s clear there’s more at stake than just a win. This game offers the Patriots an opportunity to demonstrate their depth and Belichick’s ‘next man up’ philosophy, a defining trait of his coaching era. With J.C. Jackson out, the door is open for players like Jonathan Jones and Shaun Wade to step up. With recent reports of potential firings and the Kraft’s wanting to “clean house,” there’s plenty of motivation to get the season heading in the right direction before the year is out.
Main Photo: Jim Rassol – USA Today Sports
