NFL Free Agency Rumors: Lions, Falcons, Packers Among Teams Pursuing Steven Jackson

Steven Jackson has never played for a winner, but now that he’s hit the open market for the first time in his career, he’s finding out just how valuable other teams around the NFL think he is. With the Rams willing to part ways with the back, the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers are among the teams highly coveting Jackson’s services and may engage in a bidding war to acquire him.

"After releasing Michael Turner, the Falcons also appear to have an opening at running back. Running back Steven Jackson, who voided his contract with the Rams, is a schematic fit for the Falcons. Jackson, 30, can catch passes and averaged 2.7 yards per carry after contact, according to profootballfocus.com. Jackson’s athletic blend of speed, power and pass-catching ability would work well with running back Jacquizz Rodgers’ skills. Jackson is also reportedly coveted by Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Green Bay.– Atlanta Journal-Constitution"

Jackson heading to the Green Bay Packers makes a lot of sense as the team has been looking for a solid running back for years. One of the only knocks on the Packers explosive offense in recent years is a lack of a running game and the thought is that if the Packers had a running game their offense would be unstoppable.

Detroit has been looking for a running back to replace the failed Jahvid Best experiment and while they’ve been closely tied to Reggie Bush, Steven Jackson is without a doubt an instant upgrade across the board as a back. But the Atlanta Falcons remain the front runners to acquire Jackson in free agency and the effect he’d have on that offense is similar to the one he’d have in Green Bay.

And when it comes down to it, Jackson would much rather play in a dome environment eight games a year like he has been his entire career, rather than trying to make it in a cold weather city like Green Bay. Still, the decision is likely going to come down to the wire and wherever Jackson ends up he’s likely going to take the offense he’s arriving on to another level.