Chargers make another bold move, agree to deal with J.C. Jackson

Almost 5 hours into the free-agency signing interval, the Chargers made their first splash Monday, agreeing to phrases with cornerback J.C. Jackson.

The five-year deal contains $40 million in assured cash and is price as much as $82.5 million, in accordance with a number of studies.

The deal can’t turn into official till the NFL’s new league yr begins Wednesday.

Final week the Chargers began to revamp their protection once they despatched the Chicago Bears a second-round draft choose this yr and a sixth-rounder in 2023 to accumulate three-time All-Professional edge rusher Khalil Mack.

Jackson represents a major improve for a secondary that struggled all through 2021 due to accidents and missing depth.

He’ll play exterior and provides the Chargers the choice of shifting Asante Samuel Jr. into the slot.

Chris Harris Jr. had served because the staff’s main slot nook the final two seasons. He’s now a free agent.

Jackson, 26, was undrafted popping out of Maryland in 2018 earlier than signing with New England. In 4 seasons with the Patriots, he progressed shortly, making himself right into a Professional Bowl choice final season.

Jackson performed reverse two-time All-Professional Stephon Gilmore throughout his first three seasons with New England. He’ll have a clearly outlined main position with the Chargers.

Jackson has 25 profession interceptions, together with 17 during the last two seasons. He had extra interceptions in 2021 (eight) than all of the Chargers defensive backs mixed (seven).

Jackson was the top-rated defensive again accessible in free company, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus. He graded out because the league’s seventh-best nook (amongst 116 eligible) in PFF’s rankings.

Earlier than Monday, Jackson had made a complete of $5.1 million throughout his NFL profession.

Born in Immokalee, Fla., Jackson spent one season at Riverside Metropolis Faculty earlier than transferring to Maryland.

And so forth.

The Chargers on Sunday evening reached an settlement with kicker Dustin Hopkins on a three-year take care of $3.52 million assured at signing and $4.65 million in whole ensures, in accordance with OverTheCap.

Hopkins transformed 18 of 20 field-goal makes an attempt and 30 of 32 extra-point tries in 11 video games with the Chargers in 2021. He was signed in October after being launched by Washington.