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The Chargers made a surprising move this week, trading cornerback J.C. Jackson back to the Patriots, now we’re learning why.
It turns out that the breaking point for the Chargers was when Jackson flat-out refused to step onto the field during a game against the Raiders, NFL insiders Ian Rapport and Tom Pelissero reported.
So, picture this: Third quarter of the Raiders game on week 4, and Jackson has his shoelaces untied. But here’s the kicker, one of his teammates gets banged up and needs to be subbed out. Did Jackson rush in to help? Nah, he just stood there.
Even the coaches tried to talk some sense into him. But he wasn’t having it. He said he wasn’t warm enough to play, among other excuses, according to the report.
Now, keep in mind, the Chargers had signed Jackson to a big-money deal just last year – five years, $82.5 million with $40 million guaranteed. But shipped him off to the Patriots for just a 6th round pick, even throwing in a 7th-round pick of their own to make it happen.
Clearly it was time to move on for both sides.