DeSean Jackson has interest from New York Jets but deemed too pricey
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) carries the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Bears 54-11. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
DeSean Jackson continues to make the rounds in various trade rumors, and release rumors have now started to heat up even more than the trade rumors. It’s clear that the Philadelphia Eagles want to get rid of Jackson, and it’s also clear that they want to get rid of him badly. He’s such a talented player that normally WR-needy teams would be all over him on the trade block, but his $10.5 million base salary complicates things. In fact, it doesn’t look like anybody in their right minds should trade for him, because Jackson isn’t willing to take less money in order to get a trade done. Even if his high salary means that it would take a lower draft pick to trade for him, it still doesn’t make sense for a team to deal for him, especially since the Eagles have no leverage.
The New York Jets came into the offseason desperately needing to surround Geno Smith (or Michael Vick now) with better weapons, and they signed talented wide receiver Eric Decker to a lucrative deal. They still need more, though, and they have been linked heavily to Jackson.
Per a source close to the New York Post’s Brian Costello, the New York Jets indeed have interest in Jackson, but they aren’t interested in him at a $10.5 million salary. That’s not a surprise at all, since GM John Idzik is a cap guy and does not overpay. It’s as simple as that. Jackson is a terrific player and would give the Jets another big weapon at the position, but there’s no way they part with a draft pick and spend over $10 million a year on D-Jax. But if he does hit the free agent market as most of us expect, then the Jets will likely be one of his top suitors.