One of the biggest items on the New England Patriots to-do list this offseason is to negotiate a new contract with talented cornerback J.C. Jackson. Jackson, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, spoke with the Patriots before the 2021 season about a new contract, though the talks didn't advance much. With the franchise tag window officially open as of Tuesday, Jackson made a shocking admission about his contract talks with New England as the offseason gets underway, via NBC Sports Boston.

Jackson told NBC Sports Boston on Tuesday that the Patriots have not been in touch with him about a new contract since the end of the season.

“I guess they feel like they don't need me,” Jackson said. “I guess I can't be that important to them. I know I am, but they're not showing me.”

Patriots corner J.C. Jackson said that he has not heard from the team about a new contract since the end of the season. That is certainly unexpected, especially given the way that Jackson played this past season.

Jackson said that he basically feels that the Patriots don't need him and aren't showing him that they truly want him by not engaging on contract talks with the offseason underway. Of course, New England could opt to use the franchise tag on the star corner, who has the most interceptions in the league since 2018.

The Patriots corner could be the league's highest paid corner if he hit the open market this offseason. While strapped for cap space, New England can't afford to let that happen with Jackson.

They need to show him they want him.