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NFL Rumors: Tampa Bay Buccaneers not releasing Vincent Jackson

By Andrew Ross

Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) runs after a catch against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) runs after a catch against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vincent Jackson is still a star in this league, and it looks like he is staying in Tampa Bay to help get the Buccaneers back on top.

Vincent Jackson has been with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three seasons now, and that status isn’t changing anytime soon.

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During the combine, there were some talks and speculation about the star receiver being asked to take a pay cut and restructure his deal with the team. But according to a report from NFL.com, the Buccaneers are not planning on jettisoning Jackson as part of the veteran purge that occurs each year.

Once Jackson came to Tampa Bay, the team gave him a five-year, $55 million contract. He is set to make $9.8 million this year, and that value is high enough to make him the fourth-highest paid wide receiver in football for the upcoming season (only behind Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson and Dwayne Bowe).

Of course a simple pay cut doesn’t sound like too big of a deal at first, but it has the possibility of ruffling some feathers and making a situation toxic. After all, who wants to be asked to make less money?

Jackson is coming off of a down year, but pretty much everyone not named Mike Evans had a bad season with the Buccaneers last year. The three-time Pro Bowl selection still caught 70 passes for 1,002 yards, but his mere two touchdowns were quite disappointing.

Although Jackson is 32, one shouldn’t be quick to assume that he is simply starting to go on a decline. He is still one of the best big receivers in the game and is someone that the Buccaneers can continue to use alongside Mike Evans in their offense.

The Buccaneers are hoping to draft their quarterback of the future in the upcoming NFL draft, and having a weapon like Jackson would be a great luxury to any rookie QB. He’s not cheap but having Jackson is going to make the Buccaneers better over the long haul.

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