After dancing around the reality that an ultimate decision eventually had to be made on Vincent Jackson’s future with the San Diego Chargers the last two offseasons, it appears the 6-5, 230-pound wide receiver could very well be on his way to another team once free agency begins in March. According to U-T San Diego's Kevin Acee, “the Chargers will almost certainly allow Jackson to hit the free agent market next month, and there is expected to be a line of teams ready to deal with him.”
In the article Acee mentions Chargers general manager A.J. Smith probably won’t be willing to make Jackson one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL, since there will be plenty of other pass-catchers available to grab in free agency this offseason. The list of receivers scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next month includes New England’s Wes Welker, Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe, Indianapolis’s Reggie Wayne, and New Orleans’ Marques Colston and Robert Meachem.
Excerpt from the article:
The Chargers moving on from Jackson has nothing to do with them not thinking he is an elite receiver and everything to do with them believing the extensive market will allow them to replenish with a less-expensive option (or options).
Acee states Bowe, Colston, and Welker will most likely be retained by their current teams with either long-term contracts or by being hit with franchise tags, but Meachem and Wayne will probably be available.
If this is the case, and Jackson is allowed to sign with another team, I can’t fault A.J. Smith’s logic. As good as Jackson has been since the 2007 season, he just turned 29 years old, so it’s a little late in the game for him to receive a long-term contract. On the other hand, it would be nice to see the Chargers franchise Jackson and trade him away to another team for draft picks. But perhaps letting Jackson hit the market will allow A.J. Smith to spend more money on a free agent pass-rusher such as Detroit’s Cliff Avril or, dare I say, Houston’s Mario Williams?
Either way, it seems as though it’s time to thank Jackson for his services, let him go, and move on.
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