It’s your move, Woody Johnson.
The Eagles released star wide receiver DeSean Jackson on Friday, making him a free agent the Jets and their owner may want to grab. Jackson was released shortly after a report revealed the Eagles had concerns about his ties to gang activity in Los Angeles, complicating any decision on the receiver.
The Jets have been discussing Jackson internally for months, believing Philadelphia eventually would trade him. A source said Friday the Jets are still interested in Jackson, but acknowledged conversations needed to occur at the organization’s highest levels before they make a move.
Johnson confirmed the Jets had interest in Jackson this week at the league meetings while Jackson was still a member of the Eagles. It is unclear whether general manager John Idzik wants Jackson. He likely will lean on offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who coached Jackson in Philadelphia, and wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal, who worked with Jackson at the University of California. New Jets quarterback Michael Vick is close with Jackson as well from their days as Eagles.
“It’s a no-brainer,” one Jets source said of signing Jackson.
The Jets, who had the 31st-ranked passing offense in 2013, have a need at wide receiver, even after signing Eric Decker to a five-year, $36.25 million deal earlier this month. That led to them discussing Jackson in case he became available.
Now, he is.
But the situation got a lot murkier Friday with the NJ.com report that Jackson was contacted by the LAPD about a 2010 gang-related murder. The police said Jackson was never a suspect, but his ties to Theron Shakir, a purported member of the Crips gang, led the police to speak to Jackson. Shakir was later acquitted of the murder.
The report also said another gang-related murder took place in 2012 at a building owned or leased by a member of Jackson’s family and documents belonging to him were found at the scene.
Additionally, police said Jackson had flashed gang signs on the field while playing for the Eagles. Jackson also had a previously unreported arrest in 2009 for marijuana possession, tinted windows and disturbing the peace.
The Eagles issued a brief statement that did not discuss anything gang-related: “After careful consideration over this offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to part ways with DeSean Jackson. The team informed him of his release today.”
Jackson issued a statement denying any involvement with gangs.
“I would like to address the misleading and unfounded reports that my release has anything to do with any affiliation that has been speculated surrounding the company I keep off of the field,” Jackson said in the statement. “I would like to make it very clear that I am not and never have been part of any gang. I am not a gang member, and to speculate and assume that I am involved in such activity off the field is reckless and irresponsible.”
A league source said there have been whispers for years about Jackson and his off-field activity, but it has never been an issue for the Eagles before now. There was a feeling around the league this information only surfaced as an excuse for the Eagles to let him go.
Joe Bommarito, a former Jets scout who scouted Jackson, said there were concerns about Jackson in 2008 when he was in the draft.
“Off the field, there were some issues,” Bommarito said. “I know things are hot right now with him. There were some issues there. During that time Eric Mangini was my head coach. He had his parameters on players he wanted and character was the No. 1 thing on his list. That hurt the guy with us because he did have some character issues. But as a football player, man, he’s what you want.”
Bommarito, who scouted for the Jets until last year, said he thinks Jets coach Rex Ryan could make it work with Jackson.
“I don’t think Rex would have any problem with him,” he said. “I think he would be able to handle him and work with him well.”
Jackson was scheduled to make $10.5 million 2014 and had $30.5 million remaining on his contract. Now, he assuredly will get considerably less.
Jackson excelled in Chip Kelly’s offense in 2013, setting career highs in receptions (82) and yards (1,332). He also scored nine touchdowns.