I’ve said for the better part of the last year that even though Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson had a few years left on his deal, Jackson essentially was playing for his Eagles life this season.
Jackson got a new contract in March of 2012 for 5 years, $51 million. The way the Jackson’s deal was structured, the Eagles basically committed to Jackson for two seasons, and gave him $18 million over that time.
The rest of his contract is basically filled with option years, that cause him to earn his money as he goes.
Jackson is making $6.75 million this season, with $4 million fully guaranteed, which is the fifth-highest base salary among receivers in 2013.
Jackson’s salary would then jump to $10.25 million in 2014, and remain around that number for the final three years of the deal. With Chip Kelly’s regime coming in, many wondered if this would be Jackson’s final season in Philadelphia.
DeSean responded this season with his best season as a pro after catching 82 passes for 1,332 yards and 9 touchdowns. Monday morning while the Eagles were packing up for the off-season, Jackson told CSN Philly that he believes “he deserves a new contract.”
On locker clean out day, DeSean says he deserves a new contract: "I definitely feel it’s something deserving. We’ll see how that plays out."
— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) January 6, 2014
DeSean: "Hopefully we can work things out smoothly & not have to worry about anything out of the ordinary. I definitely feel it’s deserving"
— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) January 6, 2014
If the Eagles cut Jackson, they’d owe him $6 million.
I think without a doubt DeSean Jackson returns to the Eagles with a restructured contract or a brand new one. The Eagles in my opinion would take a step back by letting Jackson walk at this point.