The mystery of the DeSean Jackson mystery teams apparently has been solved, without the intervention of Shaggy, Scooby-Doo, or any other meddling kids.
According to NBC Washington, the 49ers and Browns are pursuing Jackson, who continues to visit with the Redskins. Per Diana Russini of NBC Washington, the 49ers reached out to Jackson while he was dining with the Redskins. Also, the Browns are “going hard” with an offer.
It’s been known for days that the 49ers are very interested in Jackson. The Browns also were believed to be interested, as part of their whole Jim Harbaugh swing-for-the-fences mentality. It’s now known, if the report is accurate, that both teams are aggressively chasing Jackson.
The timing of the report is curious. With Jackson and the Redskins engaged in a high stakes game of poker, Jackson needs leverage to get the kind of deal he wants. But the leverage has to be credible. Leaking news of a pair of “mystery teams” doesn’t cut it. The teams need to be known, and they need to be genuinely interested.
The extent of the interest of the Browns, the 49ers, or anyone else may not be known unless and until Jackson leaves Washington without a contract. Which could eventually be one of the steps in a dance that has millions of dollars hanging in the balance.