A lot has been made about the future of DeSean Jackson in Washington. The wide receiver spent a good portion of this season injured, but he came up big in clutch situations for Kirk Cousins, proving his worth to the team. However, with the offseason approaching and the Redskins preparing to hand out a few big contracts, Jackson could end up being a salary cap causality while he and Pierre Garcon battle for a return.
Jackson is set to be a $9.25 million hit to the salary cap. However, releasing him only saves the team $3 million. On the other hand, Garcon is set to be a $10.2 million salary cap hit while saving the team $8.2 million. The Redskins have a decision to make. According to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, there are reasons to keep and release both players. Releasing Jackson gets rid of one of the Redskins' best deep threats and biggest bargains in terms of contracts. Releasing Garcon saves the Redskins plenty of money, but forces them to lose valuable leadership on the field. If one player has to go, it would likely be Garcon while a younger option could be found elsewhere.
The Redskins could also be thinking long-term when it comes to the receiver position. They could target younger options like Jermaine Kearse, Rishard Matthews or Travis Benjamin to help alongside Jackson, giving Kirk Cousins more athleticism to work with on the field. Pairing two top receivers with Jordan Reed at the tight end spot would give the Redskins a lethal offense.
Washington will first make Cousins a priority before anything else. The team must decide the best route to take with the quarterback as Peter King of MMQB.com believes the franchise tag might be the likely outcome. It is tough to determine what a long-term contract looks like for a quarterback with one season of success. A franchise tag keeps Cousins around another year while Washington will have to worry that a team could offer up two first-round draft picks in exchange for him.
Alfred Morris and Terrance Knighton are two players seeking returns in 2016, but might not be granted them. Morris was hot and cold this year and while head coach Jay Gruden liked him, contract demands will go a long way in determining his future. The same goes for Knighton who will get a lot of attention as a free agent.
"Every time I thought I was coming back I didn't when I'd think I was leaving I didn't," Knighton said, via ESPN.com. "Hopefully it will all work itself out. I had the opportunity to play with my best friend [Chris Baker] and being a part of something they wanted to change around. It was a great opportunity. Hopefully it will be the same this time around."
The Redskins have a lot of contract issues to iron out. No one is really guaranteed a return other than Cousins. As a result, a few critical roster cuts will end up taking place.
