DeSean Jackson is on his way out out of Philadelphia. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)
DeSean Jackson is unlikely to return to the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson confirmed Monday his team should be counted among the suitors for the wide receiver.
Jackson had a career year with 82 receptions for 1,332 receiving yards and tied his NFL-best with nine touchdown catches.
“We’re always interested in talent,” Johnson said, adding that the franchise is looking at a “number of players, including DeSean.”
If a trade cannot be completed, the Eagles are prepared to release Jackson, according to a New York Daily News report.
Jackson’s attitude and contract, not his performance, are the issues that could prevent his return to the franchise that drafted him in the second round of the 2008 draft.
A gamebreaker who can also return punts, Jackson averages 17.2 yards per catch in six seasons.
Scheduled to earn as much as $10.7 million next season — $10.5 million base salary and a $200,000 workout bonus — teams interested in Jackson might be willing to wait for the Eagles to release him to avoid picking up the final three years of the five-year, $47 million contract he signed in 2012.
By comparison, Detroit Lions wide receiver All-Pro Calvin Johnson is scheduled to earn $5 million in 2014.
In addition to the Jets, the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and others could push for Jackson, especially if he’s released.
Count out the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, at least if their front office chiefs are to be trusted. 49ers general manager Trent Baalke and Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Monday that they have not called and denied interest in Jackson.
The Eagles acted quickly to retain wide receivers Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin, who were scheduled to be unrestricted free agents, and released slot receiver Jason Avant. Running back Darren Sproles, acquired from the New Orleans Saints, could fill a portion of Jackson’s role as a niche receiver and primary punt returner.
According to NFLDraftScout.com, the 2014 wide receiver crop is the best in several years with 11 projected to be drafted in the top 70 picks, headlined by Clemson junior Sammy Watkins — a likely top-10 pick — sophomore Mike Evans (Texas A&M) and junior Marqise Lee (Southern Cal).
The Eagles last drafted a wide receiver in the top 100 in 2009, selecting Maclin with the 19th overall pick. Jackson was the 49th overall pick in 2008. Before that, Georgia wide receiver Reggie Brown was the 35th pick in 2005 and Billy McMullen (2003) was the 95th pick.
