The Philadelphia Eagles have been mentioned in trade rumors with DeSean Jackson for some time this offseason and while teams like the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots could be interested, the reasons for the rumors has been inconsistent and now a report about gang connections and off field behavioral for the WR could spell a split with coach Chip Kelly.
When the trade rumors started coming a couple weeks ago most writers zeroed in on Jackson's maturity issues, which have been a concern for years, along with his high contract of $10.5 million next season as reasons he might get dealt. Now, according to NJ.com, Jackson's off the field behavior and his connections to alleged gang members is a concern for Kelly and the team, as the report says that he is "associated" in his personal life and has been in social media with Crips gang members that have been connected to homicides in the past.
The report goes on to say that his lack of chemistry with new head coach Chip Kelly and his continued immaturity of missing meetings and his behavior has sparked the trade rumors. Many writers speculated that Jackson could get traded after he had some issues getting acclimated earlier in the season with Kelly's style, but he ended up playing in all 16 games and had one of his best seasons with 82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns, so that was pushed aside. Now it's coming out again and the 27 year old could be on his way out of town if the team gets a deal it likes.
Not too many teams could handle the $30 million left on the five-year, $48.5 million contract extension he signed a couple years ago, but the Browns and Raiders still have cap space and they could be in the mix since the Eagles are reportedly asking for a third round draft pick. The Raiders need more weapons on the outside for Matt Schaub after the team acquired him from Houston, while the Browns have extra draft picks they could use after acquiring a first rounder last season and extra picks after moving down in the draft last year and they could add Jackson to a core that already includes playmaker Josh Gordon.
Having Jackson and Gordon together could be unstoppable and if the team can add a solid quarterback to the mix, there is a chance they could start turning things around. The article compares Jackson to the Aaron Hernandez situation and while Jackson clearly has not done anything to that magnitude and is a good force in the Philly community, all the issues and connections still both Kelly and the Eagles.
Both Kelly and Howie Roseman have been tight lipped about the situation and that is never a good sign for a player when he is mentioned in trade rumors. Jackson has been arrested in the past and he was taken in for "possession of marijuana while driving, disturbing the peace and operating a car with materials that obstruct or reduce a driver's view" back in 2009 and according to the NJ.com article, that went unreported at the time.