Are the Redskins close to moving on without veteran receiver and deep ball threat Desean Jackson in the future?
Washington Redskins’ wide receiver Desean Jackson skipped an optional practice on Wednesday, which cost him a $500k workout bonus. According to the Washington Post, you would have never known he was missing.
For the first time since Jackson landed in D.C, the Redskins passing attack does not solely rely on him. The Redskins selected Josh Doctson out of TCU with their first round pick in this year’s draft, second year slot receiver Jamison Crowder emerged as a favorite target for quarterback Kirk Cousins and Pierre Garcon is still the sure-handed receiver he always was.
As for the tight end position, Jordan Reed has emerged as one of the best in football. Vernon Davis seems to agree, saying: “I think Jordan Reed runs routes better then the best wide receiver in the league. I’m being candid. I’m being totally, totally candid. Watching him, I was in awe.” Reed recently signed a 5-year,$50 million dollar extension coming off a record setting season with 87 receptions and 11 touchdowns.
“I think Jordan Reed runs routes better than the best wide receiver in the league. I’m being candid. I’m being totally, totally candid. Watching him, I was in awe.” – Vernon Davis
And with Jackson entering the final year of his three-year, $24 million deal, the question seems to be — what is Jackson’s future looking like with the Redskins?
Jackson turns 30 this year and will have a $9.25 million cap number. The Redskins would save $6.75 million if they released Jackson before June 1st, however, with Doctson not playing a game and the NFC East division title to defend, that would not be the wise move. With Garcon also turning 30, it looks like the team will only be able to keep one veteran receiver.
With Jackson being the most electric receiver on the roster, the Redskins will be glad to have his services this season. The problem has always been health, as Jackson has missed a lot of games while with the Redskins due to injury. This alone may help them with their decision on who to keep. With all these weapons, they should not be worried about Jackson’s health.
Jackson does not seem to be a necessity to the Redskins’ offense if they wish to repeat as NFC East champions. Don’t get me wrong, it wouldn’t hurt them to have him in, but if he misses time, it is not the end of the world. The play of Kirk Cousins is the essential factor. Lets not forget, the Redskins made significant changes to their defense. Signing Josh Norman and potentially setting up a two-headed monster with he and Bashaud Breeland makes the secondary immediately better. Not to mention linebacker Junior Galette re-signing after missing last season with an ACL tear.
So, while Jackson missing practice would usually make the fans and the organization shake their heads and worry, they seem to be a lot more comfortable than previous years.
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