While plenty of teams seem to be interested in free-agent receiver DeSean Jackson, he’s got only one visit on the docket so far.
Washington gets the first crack at signing the former Eagle. If they don’t, Jackson then will regroup and then select a second destination.
The first destination could be the best place for DeSean to max out his compensation. Washington needs weapons if it’s going to catch the Eagles. The prospect of snagging Jackson away from the Eagles would go a long way toward making that happen.
Still, there’s a dance that goes along with negotiations of this nature, and it already has begun, with the Redskins perhaps leaking the idea that they won’t overpay for Jackson and/or that he wants at least $9 million per year, in order to slow down the presumption that the team will sign him. In turn, Jackson’s camp may be leaking the notion that multiple “mystery teams” are in “deep negotiations” with Jackson, in order to create a greater sense of urgency in Washington.
With Jackson hoping to maximize his compensation and the Redskins hoping to acquire Jackson at minimal investment, it’s unknown whether a middle ground can be identified. Before the high-stakes game of chess/checkers/chicken can fully ramp up, the Redskins need to decide that they want him.
That should include finding out why the Eagles don’t.
Here’s Rich Tandler of CSN Washington discussing the situation on Monday’s edition of PFT Live.