Potential reunion with ex-Patriot put on hold due to player's suspension

After the Patriots play their final preseason game of the offseason on Sunday, the new regime will shift their focus to roster cuts, with the deadline set for August 27 at 4 p.m. It is the first and only roster reduction the NFL implements now, so Jerod Mayo and Co. will have many decisions to go from a roster of 90 players to the season-allotted 53.

It's also the opportunity for teams to dip into the waiver wire and free agency to claim or sign any players released by the deadline. The Patriots are lucky to hold the third position on the waiver wire, giving them a great chance to land some desirable players before the season begins.

The assumption has been they will be mainly looking at offensive linemen who might fit their needs, and maybe even wide receivers to boost their improved receiving corps.

But there has been talk of a potential reunion between the Patriots and an undrafted cornerback who Bill Belichick helped coach into a star, as he remains a free agent as the season nears.

Speculated reunion for J.C. Jackson and the Patriots put on hold due to his suspension

Among the list of players the Patriots released at the start of free agency early this year was J.C. Jackson, whom the team acquired via trade midseason in 2023 after his failed stint with the Chargers and rookie Christian Gonzalez suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4.

Jackson struggled to acclimate to the change of scheme with LA's defense, resulting in his eventual trade despite the massive contract he had received just two years before.

The reunion with the Patriots seemed like a good idea at the time since New England is where he saw his most success and became the top free agent cornerback of the 2022 class. But the excitement wore off after Jackson wasn't able to replicate his production from his last stint with the team. After a few off-the-field issues, he was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list in December, ending his season early.

Jerod Mayo claimed there was a chance they would re-sign Jackson at some point this offseason, which might have still been an option, but the NFL just announced that the cornerback would serve a one-game suspension for violating the personal conduct policy to start the 2024 season.

If a reunion was still a possibility this late in the offseason, it will surely be put on hold now.

Although Jackson didn't perform as well as most hoped last year, he could still be a valuable asset to the Patriots' secondary if he can get back on track. The cornerback room is talented but thin, so adding him to the roster would probably be worthwhile.

However, if that happens will be paused for now.

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