DeSean Jackson has been released by the Philadelphia Eagles after numerous reports of trade rumors and now the WR could look to sign with the Cleveland Browns, NY Jets, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots or San Francisco 49ers after Chip Kelly cut the wideout after a career season with Philly and it comes as reports came out about his past gang connections and off the field behavior.
Jackson had been connected to numerous teams in trade rumors, including the Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers and now the world is his oyster, as the Eagles released him on Friday after what they called careful consideration. Jackson was a Pro Bowl receiver last season and this is a big move for the Eagles, but it was likely done in part due to his high salary, which is $10.5 million next season and $30 million over the next few years and that was too much for Kelly to handle for a wide receiver. Kelly also seed Darren Sproles as a reason why his production could be made up, but the explosiveness will be hard to replace.
The Eagles brought back both Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper and that softens the blow a bit, but even with the season Cooper had last year, neither him nor Maclin are as explosive as Jackson is and that will be hard to account for. Kelly is confident in his offense despite the fact that Jackson ended up with 82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns and now he may look to the draft for another replacement. Jackson should have plenty of suitors no matter what happens when he hits the market and while he has off the field concerns, a team like the Raiders, Browns or NY Giants may overlook that due to his explosive skills.
Jackson set or matched highs last season with the Eagles and he is coming back after previously signing a five-year, $51 million contract in 2012 and he was a former second round pick for the team from California. Another option could be his old coach in Andy Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs, as they have a desperate need for a wide receiver and that could be an option. Jackson has been in the league six years and he is one of the most explosive players at his position and the 49ers are another option, as they were connected to him in trade reports.
The team has Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin, but Jim Harbaugh has spoken about adding a third WR and with Boldin getting older and Crabtree a year removed from Achilles surgery, that could be an option. The Giants are in desperate need of a WR and they could try and go for him, as they know what Jackson can do, as he has torched them numerous times over the years. The Panthers are a fit as well after they let Steve Smith go and the Cleveland Browns and NY Jets were two other teams connected to him in trade rumors. The Eagles made a big move to release Jackson and now Kelly is taking hold of the team even more and this shows that he is firmly in control.
