Patriots CB J.C. Jackson ahead of free agency: 'I guess I can't be that important to them'

New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson made his first career Pro Bowl last season after leading the league in passes defended, but he said Tuesday that the team hasn't made any recent efforts to keep him.

"I guess they feel like they don't need me," Jackson told NBC Sports Boston. "I guess I can't be that important to them. I know I am, but they're not showing me."

Jackson, 26, signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and played out a three-year deal. In 2021, the Patriots assigned a second-round tender to Jackson while he was a restricted free agent, keeping him in New England for one more year on a nearly $3.4 million contract. Now he's set to hit the market as an unrestricted free agent in March if the Patriots don't negotiate a long-term deal or assign the franchise tag to Jackson.

The tag for a cornerback is expected to cost more than $17 million, but that may be worth it to the Patriots to keep one of top young defensive backs in the NFL. Jackson says the team hasn't spoken to him at all about a new contract since the season ended, though.

"Whatever happens happens," Jackson said. "I'm taking it day by day. But it's time for me to get paid. It's time to get Mr. INT paid."

Jackson has 17 interceptions in the last two seasons, the most of any NFL player over that span.