Should Patriots keep Stephon Gilmore or JC Jackson after 2021?

While the bulk of the 2021 NFL offseason has come and gone, it’s never too early to look forward to next year. The Patriots may have to make a tough decision on their top cornerbacks, Stephon Gilmore and JC Jackson, who are both set to be on the open market in 2022.

Both Gilmore, the 2019 AP Defensive Player of the Year, and 2020 standout Jackson are currently set to hit free agency after next season’s end. With the amount of money New England spent this offseason, it’s going to be a tough task to keep both star corners in blue and red come 2022.

While Gilmore may have not had the same type of season he did during his DPOY campaign in 2019, he had to deal with both knee and quad injuries throughout 2020, limiting him to just eleven games.

Regardless, he’s still a top-tier cornerback in the league and will be in for a big payday soon.

As for Jackson, he was very productive for the Patriots last season.

With his nine total interceptions and fourteen total pass deflections, he put up numbers to place him in the upper echelon the league’s corners.

The question then becomes: If a decision has to be made to retain only one of these guys, who should the Patriots choose to keep? Gilmore or Jackson?

Both players have upside, and each can be a prolific piece in the New England secondary for years to come. However, when dishing out tons of money to a player of their caliber, it’s important to make the best decision possible for the franchise.

When looking at Stephon Gilmore, he is easily the better player between the two as of now.

He’s proven to have the ability of an elite number one corner season after season, being able to defend each team’s best receiver every week. Look no further than his historic 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Award to see what he’s capable of.

Gilmore is exactly what you look for in a lockdown corner, and re-signing him would not be a bad decision by any means. However, while the talent is undeniable, age is definitely something to keep in mind when considering a long-term deal.

The downside with Gilmore is that he’s turning 31 years old in December, while also coming off of an injury-riddled 2020. Cornerback is a very physically demanding position to play, and expecting Gilmore to continue his elite performance into his mid-to-late 30s is just unrealistic.

That’s where valuing JC Jackson higher may make more sense for the Patriots’ future. Jackson is only 25 years old, turning 26 in November. We also may have not seen the best of what Jackson has to offer so early into his NFL career.

While Stephon Gilmore may have two or three seasons left of peak play, Jackson may have around four to five seasons of being a solid corner. Therefore, when looking at these potential signings, longevity has to play a big role in who the Patriots decide to prioritize.

The idea of trading one of these players before next offseason isn’t off the table either. Numerous reports have surfaced over the past few months of a potential trade of either Jackson or Gilmore, and the Patriots could capitalize on the opportunity to snag some draft assets in the process.

It’s an interesting dilemma the Patriots are looking at for 2022. With cornerback being such an important position, this is certainly a topic to keep an eye on as next offseason inches closer. Only time will tell how Bill Belichick and the Patriots handle this situation.

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