Former New England Patriot and current ESPN NFL analyst Rob Ninkovich has never been shy about hinting at things he may have heard from inside the Patriots organization. After all someone who played for eight years at such a high level with the team could very well still maintain a solid working relationship.
Some of Ninko’s calls (Miami beating New England Week 18, Brady retiring, Mac beating out Cam) have been solid, while others (Pats keeping Cam to be used as an offensive weapon) not so much. Such is the business of football analysis and insider prognostication. But on the most recent episode of his podcast Ninko teases us with some juicy inside info about a likely soon to be former Patriots star.
(Click here to see Ninkovich's TikTok.)
While discussing the JC Jackson free agency situation with co-host Dan O’Brien on “The Dan and Ninko Show”, Rob Ninkovich says he wouldn’t re-sign the Patriots top corner because he’s “too expensive”. Most fans and media alike have thought that to be the main reason why New England wouldn’t bring back the Pro Bowl corner, who’s at the top of the market, notably frequent WEEI guest Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston. But then Ninko goes on to indicate there are some red flags about Jackson, with O’Brien making mention of Jackson missing things at the stadium, “meetings with trainers” and more. Seemingly small matters if a player’s game is still at a high level. But there’s also another story they say they can’t share.
What does Ninko know?
Ninkovich again asserts that it’s likely the price tag that will send Jackson packing. But where there’s speculative smoke that might be some behind the scenes fire. Interesting indeed, especially with the way stories seem to emerge as players sign deals for more money outside of Foxborough. Hardly a smear campaign, but definitely curious as free agency is about to begin, and Jackson more than likely to call someplace else home as early as Monday.
NFL Free Agency officially begins Wednesday March 16th at 4pm, with the legal tampering period kicking off Monday the 14th.