DeSean Jackson has been mentioned in trade rumors and now reports that the Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings are interested in the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver means that he likely will not be on Chip Kelly's team next season and trading the WR or releasing him appears to be a foregone conclusion for the team.
Jackson's name came up in trade rumors a couple weeks ago in connection with the 49ers and the Raiders, but the Eagles said that they were not actively shopping Jackson, only listening to offers for him. Now, according to ESPN.com and the New York Daily News, the Eagles have had inquiries from a number of teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets and that the Eagles "don't want" Jackson on the team for next season. The report cites Jackson's $10.5 million salary and his attitude issues from last season and ESPN.com writes that Kelly is not a coach that likes "me first" players and he categorizes Jackson that way. The team brought back both Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin and after adding Darren Sproles in a trade, Kelly may feel that Jackson's production is not essential to his offense next season.
Jackson was reportedly slow to pick-up on the new style of Kelly's coaching and while he ended up with 82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns and playing in a full schedule, Kelly sees him as a changeable part of the offense. The Jets could use Jackson after signing Michael Vick and the quarterback has lobbied for the team to make a deal, while the Raiders would love to add the speedy Jackson after trading for Matt Schaub and that could help break open the offense for Dennis Allen. The Panthers have a need at wide receiver after losing Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell and that could lead them to trade for Jackson, while the Seattle Seahawks have been a surprising entrant to the race.
According to the Philadelphia Enquirer, the Eagles are hoping to trade the 27-year-old wide receiver and it says that source mentioned that his chances of returning to the team are "less than five percent" and that does not sound good for Jackson. NFL.com is reporting that the Seattle Seahawks could be a potential option, as they would love to add him to the offense with Percy Harvin and they also have enough draft picks to spare, as do the 49ers, as they have 11 picks coming into the draft. The NFL.com report says that GM's think Jackson will end up getting released and the biggest issue for the Eagles is his $30 million guaranteed money left on his contract.
Jackson reportedly will not take a pay cut from his contract and that has been an issue as well and he has a $12.75 million cap hit for next season and that is too much for the Eagles. Ditching Jackson will give the Eagles nearly $7 million in cap space and they will need that in the future as they lock up players like Nick Foles. Jackson has been a very productive receiver in his career, but right now it looks like he is on his way out of town.
