After the 2013 season ended, Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson said he wants a new contract. And he may get one.
Just not in the way he envisioned.
With Jackson due to make $10.5 million in 2014 and the Eagles re-signing Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin at much lower rates, the Eagles could be ready to move on from Jackson. Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com explained the various factors during a Wednesday appearance on PFT Live, which include: (1) coach Chip Kelly’s aversion to small receivers; (2) Kelly’s aversion to me-first players; and (3) Jackson’s periodic unusual behavior, such as the recent theft of guns, jewelry, and $250,000 in cash from his home.
While a trade would be the first option, who would give up $10.5 million in 2014 for Jackson? Unless he’s willing to restructure his contract (and he possibly would be so inclined only if he were getting a raise), the Eagles could have a hard time finding a partner.
Which means that the only way to part ways with Jackson would be to cut him.
Dumping him with a post-June 1 designation would result in a cap hit of only $2 million in 2014 and $4 million in 2015. It also would create $10.5 million that could be spent in 2014 or later on other players, like perhaps quarterback Nick Foles, who’ll be eligible for a new deal after the coming season.
Mosher said during PFT Live that Jackson could be “one false step away” from being cut. With tight end Zach Ertz expected to play the slot and Cooper and Maclin under contract, it could be an easy move for the team to make -- especially with a buyer’s market in free agency and a deep draft at the receiver position.