Mark Daniels: Unlike past star cornerbacks, the Patriots should prioritize J.C. Jackson. Here's why.

In New England, it’s a tale as old as time. When a talented cornerback is on the Patriots, it’s only a matter of time before he moves on.

It started in 2004 when the Patriots released cornerback Ty Law to clear over $12 million in cap space. In 2008, Asante Samuel carried the torch. After being franchised, the All-Pro signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2013, after earning All-Pro honors, Aqib Talib bolted to Denver in free agency. Darrelle Revis was next, leaving the Patriots after an All-Pro season in 2014. Following a Pro Bowl and then All-Pro seasons, Malcolm Butler left in free agency in 2018.

That brings us to this season. After holding out this summer, Pro Bowler, All-Pro and former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore was traded for a sixth-round pick.

When it comes to the cornerback position, the Patriots are never willing to back up the Brinks truck. Bill Belichick’s resumé and six Super Bowl championships suggest that maybe they don’t need to.

But that should change this offseason.

J.C. Jackson has a chance to join the long list of talented cornerbacks who leave New England due to money. The 25-year-old will hit free agency in March coming off another fantastic season. This is shaping up like a familiar story, but Belichick should buck the trend.

Jackson looks like the Patriots most important young defensive player. They should do everything they can to bring him back. His performance on Sunday in Carolina showed everyone why he should be a priority.

J.C. Jackson overshadowed Stephon Gilmore on Sunday

Heading into Sunday's game, the headlines were about Gilmore playing against his former team. The veteran cornerback intercepted Mac Jones in the second quarter. With Gilmore gone, Jackson has become the Patriots No. 1 cornerback. On Sunday, he overshadowed Gilmore with two interceptions. He returned one for an 88-yard touchdown.

Jackson came into the matchup missing two days of practice due to an illness. He said he was so sick he didn’t think he’d play.

“I was sick as (expletive). Man, I was about to die,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t taste. I had strep throat. It was over. I thought it was over. I thought I wasn’t even going to play this week, to be honest.”

Jackson’s 22 career interceptions through his first four NFL seasons tie Hall-of-Fame cornerback Mike Haynes for the most in Patriots franchise history. And it’s not going to be easy to retain him. Truthfully, if you’re a betting man, you should put money on him playing elsewhere in 2022.

Patriots-Panthers takeaways: J.C. Jackson has Sam Darnold seeing ghosts again in Pats' 24-6 win

At this point, it looks like Jackson will be the top available cornerback in the 2022 free-agent market. That’s bad news for a Patriots team that's currently scheduled to have just over $24.6 million in cap space, according to Overthecap.com. Jackson, who’s with his third different agent in three years, could reset the cornerback market.

Last year, William Jackson earned the top cornerback contract in free agency, signing a three-year, $40.5-million deal. He was 28 and was coming off a season with 11 passes defended and an interception. Entering Week 10, Jackson already has five interceptions and 12 passes defended.

Mark Daniels: The Patriots breathed life into their 2021 season with win over the Chargers

J.C. Jackson is proving to be a legitimate No. 1 cornerback

Since entering the league in 2018, Jackson’s 22 interceptions are the most by any player in the NFL. Last year, the corner finished second in the NFL with nine interceptions. His ball skills always stuck out. The question, however, revolved around Jackson’s ability as a cover corner.

In 11 games last season, Gilmore allowed one touchdown. In the five games Gilmore missed, Jackson allowed four touchdowns. How much of Jackson’s success was due to facing No. 2 receivers? How much of his success was due to playing opposite of Gilmore?

Those were fair questions. This year, he’s answered the challenge. Through nine games, Jackson has allowed one touchdown.

Patriots other cornerback options are bleak

The problem with next year’s free-agent class is that Jackson and Gilmore look like the top two available cornerbacks along with Los Angeles’ Darius Williams, who turns 29. Internally, the Pats don’t have another option with Jalen Mills and Joejuan Williams as the next outside cornerbacks in line.

Historically, the Pats have had some kind of succession plan at cornerback. They ran into an issue, however, when they tried to find one in the draft.

When they released Law, they had Samuel. When Samuel left, the Pats had a void in their secondary from 2008 until they traded for Talib in 2012. That period saw the Patriots search for a No. 1 cornerback in the draft with Terrence Wheatley (second round in 2008), Darius Butler (second round in 2009), Devin McCourty (first round in 2010) and Ras-I Dowling (second round in2011). When Talib left, they signed Revis. When Revis left, they had Butler. When Butler left, the Pats had Gilmore.

When they traded Gilmore, they had Jackson.

The Patriots should prioritize retaining Jackson.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Keeping J.C. Jackson is key for the New England Patriots