ORLANDO, Fla. — Rex Ryan is all but guaranteeing the Jets will add a wide receiver this offseason, but the chances of it being DeSean Jackson appeared to dim Tuesday.
The Eagles remained mum about their reported interest in trading or cutting Jackson, but the speedy wideout tweeted late Monday he had finally spoken with coach Chip Kelly and gave the impression he expected to stay with Philadelphia.
“Good to Talk to Big Chip today !! Say or hear what ya want !! The Picture speaks for itself !! Winner…” Jackson wrote on Twitter next to a picture of him interacting playfully with Kelly on the practice field last season.
Philadelphia media outlets also reported Jackson had told teammates Kelly informed him he would be staying. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Kelly told Jackson to keep working and “be ready for camp.”
Whether it’s Jackson or a rookie, though, Ryan assured reporters Tuesday the receiver-needy Jets would add at least one more player at that spot after signing Broncos free agent Eric Decker.
Jets owner Woody Johnson caused a stir on Sunday by referring to Jackson by name as a player Gang Green was interested in obtaining, either by trade or as a free agent if he were released.
Neither Ryan nor general manager John Idzik would risk a tampering violation by mentioning Jackson’s name Tuesday, but Ryan said the Jets’ stable of receivers isn’t complete.
“I don’t think we’re done in that area,” Ryan said at the NFL owners meetings. “I don’t. We’ve got a lot of draft picks [12, including four compensatory selections]. It’s a deep draft class at [receiver], and I’m not going to sit back.
“It might be in the sixth round, but we’re not done,” Ryan added. “I think it’s safe to say. I’ll bet you anything we end up making another move at receiver somewhere along the line, if I’m a betting man.”