Every NFL team’s highest salary for the 2023 season
By Nick Villano
Los Angeles Chargers: J.C. Jackson — $17 million
If a picture is worth a thousand words, the picture above is worth questioning $17 million. The Los Angeles Chargers just gave Justin Herbert insane money, but his deal doesn’t start to hit bonkers levels until 2026. This season, his cap hit is $8.46 million. That leaves J.C. Jackson as the player with the highest cap hit.
Jackson was signed as a free agent in an offseason where the Chargers also added Khalil Mack in a trade with the Bears. The Chargers wanted to make the defense just as strong as the offense, but it never really worked out.
Jackson got hurt before the preseason, and he missed his first regular season game in LA. He returned in Week 2, but he struggled to regain his speed. Eventually, he was benched. Upon his return, he eventually tore his patellar tendon, ending his season.
This is an important year for Jackson. There are no more salary guarantees after this season. So, the Chargers can save major money if he doesn’t work out. He’s still very young, so a turnaround is likely. However, it needs to happen quickly.