Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson, one of the best ballhawks in the NFL, is set to test the free-agent market this offseason.
New England is not expected to use its franchise tag on the 2021 Pro Bowler ahead of the March 8 deadline, allowing him to explore unrestricted free agency, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
The Patriots are currently projected to have just over $7.3 million in cap space, per Spotrac. Tagging Jackson, 27, would have cost the team around $17 million.
Jackson played the 2021 season on a one-year, $3.384 million deal after the Patriots assigned a second-round tender to the former undrafted prospect last April.