JC Jackson: To pay or not to pay, that is the question

[BobDigital]

Something not bein brought up much with Gilmore's fresh injury is JC Jackson. Actually this is a thought I've had for a long time. If we want to rebuild holding on to Gilmore and his cap hit makes little sense. But what about Jackson? He has looked amazing in the #2 CB role. He is set to be paid like a top #1 CB in all likelihood. But we have seen it before when guys who excelled as a #2 moved to a #1 and suddenly they aren't playing up to their contract. Not even close to it. As much as I would like to hold on to JC Jackson if he tops that 15M/year number like a top end #1, how confident are you in the Pats investing in that?

It's a weird question in some respects, as a young player like him who can be here long term is exactly who you want to invest in. But it's the kind of semi-unproven commodity that can hamstring you and keep you from signing that other guy later whose worth it when he becomes available. I would probably still do it and roll the dice, but I think the question deserves to be asked.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Yes. Pay the man. 8 INTs and Gilmore is getting older plus McCourty. We can't be paying 20M to both guard positions.

.

 

[patsinthesnow]

The pats are in no position to let young talented players walk. Regardless, here is the case to extend Jackson:

2018 51.6% comp 1 TD 3 INT 60.2 rating
2019 47.7% comp 1 TD 5 INT 35.9 rating
52.6% comp 3 TD 8 INT 52 rating

Dominance. A 2x leader in passer rating against & a potential 3rd on the way.

As the #1 CB with Gilmore out:

21 targets
10 receptions
2 TDs
3 INTs
72.6 rating

They held Josh Allen to 0 TDs & snapped the Ravens streak of consecutive games with 20+ points scored with him as the #1 corner. He only performed poorly against the Jets. Maybe he'll get another game against Diggs for the team to evaluate.

 

[MoreBellhorn]

Pay that man and trade Gilmore.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Pay that man and trade Gilmore.

I suggested this before the season started and got totally crucified for it. My desire was to dump Gilmore by the trade deadline and then extend Jackson to lock him in. But I was a fool for suggesting it.

 

[Uptown]

Pay JJ
Gil(no)more

 

[farn]

I’m with the others : lock up JC. In the modern passing game, there will always be hiccups - defending has never been more challenging. Here we have a young, willing & able player who seems to want to succeed.

 

[Dagg]

Pay the man and move on from Gilly

 

[RobertWeathers]

Pay the man and move on from Gilly

Gilly is on contract for a bargain price next year. If he wants out, then trade him.

 

[lancerman]

Gilly is on contract for a bargain price next year. If he wants out, then trade him.

He's going to want out. We gave him extra money to satisfy him. He's going to hold out if that happens. Maybe a sign and trade.

 

[RobertWeathers]

He's going to want out. We gave him extra money to satisfy him. He's going to hold out if that happens. Maybe a sign and trade.

Sign and trade would only work if there isn't a signing bonus involved as it stays as a residual on the old team's cap. I think you mean, Trade and Sign.

 

[lancerman]

Sign and trade would only work if there isn't a signing bonus involved as it stays as a residual on the old team's cap. I think you mean, Trade and Sign.

Whatever if they don’t do a signing bonus but hit the number he wants. All I know is that he ain’t playing for his price next year

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

I suggested this before the season started and got totally crucified for it. My desire was to dump Gilmore by the trade deadline and then extend Jackson to lock him in. But I was a fool for suggesting it.

I suggested this immediately when last season ended

 

[stinkypete]

The bigger question is will Jackson want to sign here long-term, or will he jump ship to another team?

If Jackson wants to stay, I would be fine with bumping him right into Gilmore's salary slot and moving on. Jackson's a top 5 CB right now. The CB position will be fine with Jackson, Jones and Bryant in the fold.

 

[jah]

Pay pay pay

 

[Sciz]

Jackson is in a tough spot. What kind of long term contract would he have to accept to convince the Patriots to not just give him the first round RFA tender in 2021 and franchise tag in 2022?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Jackson is in a tough spot. What kind of long term contract would he have to accept to convince the Patriots to not just give him the first round RFA tender in 2021 and franchise tag in 2022?

I would assume something a bit north of what the 1st round tender would fetch him and a bit south of top 10 CB money.

 

[BTTA]

The FA market this year is going to be depressed because of unusually difficult cap year, right? I think the Pats will be able to keep some of the young players for less $$ than normal. Hopeful, anyway.

 

[captain stone]

After whiffing on that 3rd/goal blitz that cost his team 5 points?

 

[Sciz]

The FA market this year is going to be depressed because of unusually difficult cap year, right? I think the Pats will be able to keep some of the young players for less $$ than normal. Hopeful, anyway.

I think the younger, more desirable free agents will do alright since their longer contracts can have smaller cap hits in the early seasons. Free agents who are older or coming off serious injury or a disappointing season might have a rough time since it's significantly harder to do cap shenanigans on one year deals.