Marty Mornhinweg said DeSean Jackson will not be problem for Jets
DeSean Jackson (10) carries the ball during the second quarter. Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Jets were expected to be a relatively strong suitor for DeSean Jackson once the Philadelphia Eagles decided to release him, because the Jets still have a need for more talented pass-catchers around Geno Smith even after signing the talented Eric Decker to a lucrative contract in free agency. The Jets were wisely unwilling to spend a high draft pick and $30 million over three seasons to acquire Jackson in a trade, but a smaller asking price on the free agent market would be the right discount to sway thrifty GM John Idzik. But Idzik also seems to be brushed off by Jackson’s character concerns and the Eagles willingness to get rid of him after his career year, and thus the Jets haven’t shown any interest in D-Jax following Friday’s release.
Adding Jackson not only would have given the Jets a huge upgrade at the wide receiver position, but it would have also reunited him with Marty Mornhinweg and Michael Vick, who was signed earlier this month. ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini reports that Mornhinweg did what he could to assure the Jets organization that Jackson wouldn’t be a locker room distraction for the team, but Mornhinweg’s “blessing” hasn’t changed the opinion of the Jets front office.
At this point, I highly doubt the Jets change their minds on DeSean Jackson, as it looks like Idzik is extremely apprehensive about signing him. Idzik is usually worried about cost the most, but he’s also shown an unwillingness to sign players who have baggage, and I’m guessing that’s part of the reason why the Jets didn’t go hard after Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who signed a hefty contract with the crosstown rivals.
If Mornhinweg’s words of assurance can’t change Idzik’s mind, then just about nothing will. It looks like the Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins are the two teams to watch for the closets in the Jackson sweepstakes, while the Jets turn their focus to the 2014 NFL Draft class to get upgrades at WR/TE and CB.