Chargers' Staley: 'We just need to stay patient' with Jackson

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson was benched Monday night after giving up a couple of big plays in the first half.

On Tuesday, head coach Brandon Staley insisted he remains confident in his star defender.

"We just need to stay patient," Staley said. "Last night wasn't up to his standard, or ours. We felt like we had to go in a different direction. We're going to stay with him, keep coaching him, and see if we can get him comfortable."

Staley added, "We need to make sure that we continue to work with him so that he's focused, consistent, and being the player that we know he can be."

The Chargers signed Jackson to a five-year, $82.5-million contract in March to be the team's top cornerback. The 26-year-old missed the first two games of the season with an ankle injury, which has hampered his ability to learn a new defense.

Staley believes it's "fair to say" Jackson is committing mental errors.

Jackson was second-team All-Pro in 2021 and hauled in 25 interceptions in four seasons with the New England Patriots before signing with the Chargers.