Ahead of the start of NFL training camps, New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson has spoken out. Because while his teammate, friend and rival Stephon Gilmore is sitting at home, Jackson is confident.

The New England Patriots’ pass defence has been among the best in the NFL for several seasons now, it’s almost a tradition. This is also due to the outstanding cornerbacks of the record champion.

One of them is J.C. Jackson. The 25-year-old expressed his confidence before the start of the training camps.

“I would never say I’m number two “

In an interview with “NFL.com” Jackson said: “Of course I’m a number one cornerback. Never would I settle for anything less. I would never say I’m number two or number three, I’m number one.”

By their nature, cornerbacks aren’t exactly reserved, with Jalen Ramsey in particular proving that time and time again. But Jackson can back that up with numbers, too: The 25-year-old went undrafted and came to New England as a free agent from Maryland in 2018. There, he began to impress head coach Bill Belichick.

He made the 53-man roster and was used in 14 of the 16 regular-season games, as well as in Super Bowl 53, which the Patriots won with him. Over the next two years, he managed 14 interceptions in 32 games, more than any other player in the NFL.

Contract poker at “big brother” Gilmore.

The reason Jackson has been able to deliver those performances for two years is also Stephon Gilmore. In 2019, that Gilmore was Defensive Player of the Year that no quarterback wanted to throw to. On the other side was Jackson, who wasn’t as well known at the time and just like his partner Gilmore, punished most throws in his direction.

In 2020, Gilmore went down with an injury and Jackson became the starting cornerback – which is where he sees himself. He took care of the opposition’s best receivers and delivered even better numbers. In 2021, Gilmore is on strike so far, skipping every workout so far. He wants more money, which the Patriots have yet to pay him.

Jackson, for one, wouldn’t mind continuing to play with Gilmore and raves about him, “He was very helpful to me, especially when we watched tape. I always tried to copy from him. That’s how much I look up to him,” Jackson explains.

Last contract year also for Jackson

The money the Patriots might not put into the Stephon Gilmore personnel, they might save for Jackson. Because he, too, is playing in the last year of his contract and will cash in in 2022, whether in New England or elsewhere.

One thing is certain: if you see yourself as a number one cornerback, you want to be paid as such. They know that in Bill Belichick’s office, too.