Breaking: Patriots Re-Sign Rising Star Wide Receiver, Securing the Future of Their Offense
The New England Patriots need to find ways to improve the wide receiver room, and the team took a step on Wednesday by re-signing JaQuae Jackson.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo first reported that the Patriots will retain the former undrafted free agent from Rutgers, who impressed in the preseason last year. Jackson caught a 38-yard touchdown in a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, but an ankle injury sidelined him after that, and he spent the season on injured reserve.
New England made the IR move “rather than work out an injury settlement” according to Garafolo. Jackson specifically signed a “one-year qualifying offer at the league minimum” according to MassLive.com’s Chris Mason.
Before the NFL, Jackson had a promising 2023 season at Rutgers, where he caught 22 passes for 361 yards and a touchdown. That came after four successful years with Division II California (Pennsylvania), where he had 148 receptions for 2,120 yards and 23 touchdowns in 29 career games.
Jackson originally got his shot at the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in April 2024. The Falcons released him in June, and the Patriots signed him two days later.
Among the young receivers in New England is Jackson, who is part of a group that includes top wideout DeMario Douglas. Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, and John Jiles are also entering their second or third season in the league.
