DeSean Jackson may think he deserves a new contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the team has slightly different feelings. The wide receiver is working off a five-year, $47 million contract signed back in 2012. After first claiming that he was hoping his agent could get a new deal worked out and then denying it on Instagram, the Eagles a nixing the whole thing.
According to the Philadelpia Inquirer the Eagles have no plans to give Jackson a new contract and will instead focus on upcoming free agents instead. It was thought that maybe the Eagles would look at restructuring. Jackson made $4 million guaranteed money this season. He is a $12.5 million cap his next year. The remaining two years are all non-guaranteed cash. The Eagles are not even looking twice at Jackson's current deal, no matter how much the receiver thinks he deserves it.
"I definitely feel it's something deserving," Jackson said, via CSNPhilly.com. "We'll see how that plays out, and hopefully we can work things out smoothly and not have to worry about anything out of the ordinary. But I definitely feel like it's deserving. I'm proven in this league, and after this past year, went out there, no distractions, and just really put it all in for my team and went out there and had a lot of success, so we'll see how it goes."
Jackson later took to Instagram to deny the request. He ripped the media saying his words were taken out of context and mixed up. He claims good stats and an injury-free season is all he cares about. There is no doubting that Jackson is worth the money, but the Eagles have other priorities right now. Wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper are both expecting new deals.
Maclin missed all of last season after tearing his ACL. He was hoping to be "the man" in Philadelphia, but was sidelined and now is uncertain of whether or not the team will retain him. In the past four years, Maclin has put up 3,453 yards and 26 touchdowns, but the injury history hurts his chances.
"I'm a realist, so I understand that that's a possibility," Maclin said.. "It was frustrating personally, but at the same time, I was really happy for these guys. I was happy to see Riley step up as a playmaker in this league."
Cooper took the place of Maclin and emerged a star, showing great chemistry with quarterback Nick Foles. He put up 853 yards and eight touchdowns in limited time as a starter. He became a real No. 2 receiver with Jackson.
Both receivers want to stay. It is likely that at least one will get forced into a one-year deal. Roseman remained hopeful the team could get a deal done for both players. Having Jackson back off his contract demands would certainly help.
