Report: DeSean Jackson wants to move on from the Buccaneers and the Eagles are a potential landing spot

Could the 2019 NFL offseason be the one when DeSean Jackson finally returns to the Eagles? If Josina Anderson’s reporting is any indication, it could be. Here’s what Anderson recently had to say on ESPN. Bold emphasis is mine:

I’m actually told by sources today that wide receiver DeSean Jackson, according to sources, would like to move on from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And that it would be beneficial for him to be in a new environment to get a fresh start. Now, I’m told that issues started to fester a little bit more after the [Week 12] 49ers game, specifically, Wednesday, November 28 when there was an exchange between head coach Dirk Koetter over [Jackson] not practicing with a hand injury. After that game, he did not play for three games after that. And the last game, against the Cowboys, had just one reception for 24 yards. The production just not necessarily being where he would like it to be. Not to mention, also the fact that there’s a difference in production when Jameis Winston has been his quarterback versus when Ryan Fitzpatrick has been his quarterback. It was 27 for 552 yards under Fitzpatrick and it’s 14 for 422 with Jameis Winston. So, just in terms of his viability and getting down the field in that long game, there’s definitely a difference there. But overall, I’ve been hearing about the morale, and the confidence being down, and what they’re doing on offense, and I think that that’s culminating in how he feels.

I just want to say, lastly, as we look ahead to free agency, I know we’re not there yet, but we’re getting ahead right here on Cup of Jo, keep an eye on Washington, keep an eye on Philly, and possibly the Rams in terms of destinations that DeSean could end up at.

The “news” that Jackson wants out of Tampa doesn’t come as a surprise, for multiple reasons. First, Jackson has seemingly been unhappy to some extent on all three NFL teams he’s been on. Second, there were rumors that Jackson requested a trade prior to the 2018 NFL trade deadline.

The Eagles may have been sniffing around Jackson at the deadline. Their attempted trade for New York Jets speedster Robby Anderson shows they were in the market for a field-stretcher.

And with the Eagles still needing a reliable deep threat this offseason (keep in mind Mike Wallace is going to be a free agent), one can only wonder if Philly’s front office will have interest in Jackson.

As of right now, Jackson is still under contract with the Bucs in 2019. But his $10 million salary contains zero guaranteed money. The Bucs could easily look to move on.

If that’s the case, the 32-year-old will have suitors on the open market. He’s still averaging 18.9 yards per reception this season, which leads the league.

It’d be fun to see the Eagles give Carson Wentz the best vertical threat he’s ever gotten to work with. I will repeat something I said when writing about Jackson earlier this year, though:

There are off-field considerations to be made, though, given how Jackson was unceremoniously released by the Eagles in 2014. Chip Kelly rightfully deserves blame for that occurrence, but he wasn’t the only one in the organization who wanted Jackson gone. Note that Howie Roseman was still officially the general manager back then and team owner Jeffrey Lurie ultimately signed off on Jackson’s dismissal.

The Eagles will be limited on cap space this offseason so they can’t spend wildly. The price will have to be right for both sides in order to make a Jackson reunion happen.

UPDATE: DeSean reportedly has interest in the Eagles. But are they interested in him?