By John Keim | ESPN.com
Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson has agreed with the Washington Redskins. Jackson will join Washington on a three-year deal, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The deal is worth $24 million, including $16 million guaranteed, sources told Schefter.
Jackson’s addition seemed to be a certainty ever since he arrived in northern Virginia late Monday afternoon. He dined with Redskins coaches Monday night, went out with Redskins players Pierre Garcon and DeAngelo Hall later that night and met with team officials Tuesday.
Both players had publicly stated their desire for Jackson to join the Redskins, as had quarterbackRobert Griffin III.
“Very exciting player. Determined to show he is the best and hungry to win. My kinda guy,” Griffin told ESPN’s Britt McHenry.
Griffin also took to Twitter to welcome Jackson to D.C. and to the team’s receiving corps.
“Looks like we won that fight from earlier ha ha @AndreRoberts @PierreGarcon & others have a new member of the family,” the quarterback tweeted.
The Redskins will pair him with a first-time head coach in Jay Gruden. But Gruden worked in Cincinnati with Marvin Lewis, who coaxed production out of players with questionable issues such as cornerback Adam Jones and running back Cedric Benson. Gruden was there with both players.
Jackson gives the Redskins a dynamic playmaker, something they have not had in some time. Jackson has averaged 17.2 yards per catch in his career. The Redskins haven’t had a receiver average more than 17.0 yards per catch with at least 50 receptions since Santana Moss in 2005.
No other receiver with that many catches has even hit 15.0 per catch. Only two receivers since 2008 have averaged more yards per catch — Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd. And only Mike Wallace has as many touchdown receptions (21) of at least 30 yards as Jackson.
But the Eagles did not release him because of his production. He’s coming off an 82-catch, 1,332-yard season and nine touchdowns. It tied a career high in touchdowns and established a new one for yards.
Rather, according to reports, they were displeased with his attitude and demeanor. They reportedly did not view him as a good fit in the culture that coach Chip Kelly wants to build.
A story on NJ.com discussed alleged gang connections — shortly before his release on Friday.
But Jackson issued a statement later that day rebutting that charge: “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. I work very hard on and off the field and I am a good person with good values.
“I am proud of the accomplishments that I have made both on and off the field. I have worked tirelessly to give back to my community and have a positive impact on those in need. It is unfortunate that I now have to defend myself and my intentions. These reports are irresponsible and just not true. I look forward to working hard for my new team. God Bless.”
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics