NFL Rumors: Eagles Targeting DeSean Jackson in Free Agency?
The NFL is crazy, but could DeSean Jackson return to the Philadelphia Eagles via free agency in 2017?
The NFL could have a great storyline for the 2017 offseason. That is, of course, if ESPNs Adam Scheffer’s report that the Philadelphia Eagles are likely to pursue a reunion with their former wide receiver, DeSean Jackson.
Jackson will be an unrestricted free agent after his 2016 campaign with the Washington Redskins. The Redskins could re-sign Jackson, but that seems very unlikely considering they have many other pieces to allocate their funds to.
In 2016, Jackson has caught 38 passes for 585 yards and three scores (10 games). His injury history has always been a problem and, even though he has been banged up for much of the year, the 30-year-old veteran wide receiver has only missed one game.
The Eagles’ interest in wanting to sign their former receiver isn’t surprising. Jackson was a star in Philadelphia, catching 356 passes for 6,117 yards and 32 touchdowns. When he played for the Eagles, he was the best deep-threat in the NFL. He may no longer be the best deep-threat in the NFL, but Jackson can still stretch the field and at any moment. He can burn you for a 67-yard touchdown like he did on Thanksgiving to the Dallas Cowboys.
Having a wide receiver to stretch the field and make the defense respect your vertical passing game is something the Eagles haven’t had since, well, they released Jackson. The fallout in Philadelphia could be a reason for some people to say Jackson will never be back.
But according to Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice, Jackson had some promising words for the Philly faithful saying, “I never really had hard feelings toward Philadelphia, besides being released by whoever released me. That’s different but, I guess he’s not there no more. It’s never really been hard feelings toward the city or to the team, the organization.”
This may be a rumor in December, but it will certainly be a rumor to pay close attention to as we get closer to free agency. The return of Jackson would be welcomed by many, but none more than their rookie quarterback Carson Wentz.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft has looked the part in his first season, but the Eagles’ lack of weapons has hurt him. He has a big arm and the ability to throw the ball down the field. Unfortunately, there isn’t a receiver that can get open deep currently on the Philadelphia roster.
With the addition of Jackson, the Eagles offense would have a big play weapon that would stretch the field. More importantly, the Eagles wouldn’t be pressed to draft a wide receiver in the first round, so they can focus on their biggest need, cornerback.
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