DeSean Jackson decision was made ‘over a month ago’
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) returns a punt against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 48-30. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles are trying to trade DeSean Jackson with the kind of zeal normally reserved for players with massive character concerns, burrowed behind solid players on the depth chart, or on teams desperate for draft picks. Jackson has never been viewed as a “plus” locker room guy, but I’ve never read anything extremely defacing of his character. This gives Jackson a big buyer-beware label for teams looking to add him, because there are strong worries that the Eagles know a lot more than they are letting on. I don’t think anyone should trade for Jackson because of this, and there’s also the matter of trading a high draft pick and, even more importantly, spending $30 million over the next three years on somebody who made comments early in the offseason stating his desire to receive some guaranteed pay (of course, those comments have largely been exaggerated in lieu of the trade rumors).
It’s always sounded like the Eagles decision to try and part ways with Jackson has been in the works for quite some time, and a source close to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s excellent Jimmy Kempski, who first raised the possibility of Jackson getting dealt this offseason, stated that the Eagles were looking to trade Jackson “well over a month ago”.
The San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs are seven teams that have been linked to the star receiver in some way or another. Jackson is coming off of what was easily the best season of his career, as the playmaker proved he is a WR1 in this league by catching over 80 passes, 1,300 yards, and looking more reliable than he did in years past.