Eagles' DeSean Jackson appears to defend Alshon Jeffery in lead-up to NFL Draft

[Procus]

https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-rumrs-desean-jackson-alshon-jeffery-nfl-draft-josina-anderson-wide-receiver/

Quote

April 22, 2020

Eagles' DeSean Jackson appears to defend Alshon Jeffery in lead-up to NFL Draft

Philadelphia is expected to target wide receivers in the 2020 NFL draft

By Michael Tanenbaum
PhillyVoice Staff

 

Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson stood up for teammate Alshon Jeffery in an an Instagram post, possibly suggesting the veteran wideout could return against all odds.

The Philadelphia Eagles are all but certain to replenish their wide receiver group in the 2020 NFL Draft, which will be stocked with young talent available to a team with a glaring need.

Still, DeSean Jackson is seemingly ready to go to bat for Alshon Jeffery, his injured and much-maligned teammate.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Jackson shared a photo of him and Jefferey celebrating after a touchdown during the first week of last season, the only game the veteran wideouts played together.

"He too old, he can’t run fast anymore, he always injured, he a bad teammate, always been against the odds..." Jackson wrote.

The remarks could easily be applied to Jackson, who's 33 and coming off an injury-riddled season cut short by surgery to a core muscle. Jackson, too, has been criticized in the past for his conduct off the field, which got him cut by former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, probably unfairly and unwisely.

In Jeffery's case, things have gone downhill for him in Philadelphia since the Eagles won Super Bowl LII.

A crucial drop in the playoffs against the Saints didn't help matters the following year, but Eagles fans largely had Jeffery's back after that debacle. The bigger issue is that Jeffery has been strongly implicated as the anonymous source who criticized quarterback Carson Wentz in comments to ESPN reporter Josina Anderson — on more than one occasion.

Even if you're able to put that aside, the Lisfranc injury Jeffery suffered last season would potentially keep him off the field to start the 2020 season, if the NFL is somehow able to safely play games amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Finally, Jeffery is owed a boatload of guaranteed money for the next two years of his contract, a situation that makes trading him a difficult prospect. The team reportedly tried to trade Jeffery before the start of last season — when he was healthy — and evidently couldn't find a solid return thanks to general manager Howie Roseman's blunder in restructuring his deal only a month earlier. 

The organization clearly has had mixed feelings about what to do with Jeffery going forward. During an interview earlier this offseason, Roseman left open the possibility of Jeffery returning. 

"Obviously, the elephant in the room is Alshon," Roseman said. "Alshon’s gotta get healthy. That’s the No. 1 priority for us and for him. He understands. He knows what’s being said about him. He understands that he has a lot to prove and he’s anxious to do that. So he’s not living in a bubble. He understands that."

With the NFL season mired in uncertainty, predicting the outcome for Jeffery at this stage would be no more than a guess. The Eagles could search for a trade partner in the draft, but Jeffery's contract and injury situation don't give the team much leverage. He played just 10 games last season and had the least-productive year of his career. 

In the event that Jeffery does return to Philadelphia, having the support of his teammates will be an important step toward redeeming a tricky situation. Jackson's diplomacy may not smooth things over with fans, but it at least has a chance of diffusing some tension in the locker room.

 

[brkmsn]

The two WRs really compliment each other. I'd love for both to be healthy throughout the 2020 season. 

[Portyansky]

49 minutes ago, brkmsn said:

The two WRs really compliment each other. I'd love for both to be healthy throughout the 2020 season. 

I agree. I just hope there will be a season.

[PoconoDon]

They need to impress everyone in 2020 so their trade value is high in 2021...just sayin'

[ilikepargo]

7 hours ago, brkmsn said:

The two WRs really compliment each other. I'd love for both to be healthy throughout the 2020 season. 

Alshon isn't going anywhere this season.  He's too expensive to cut, and between his recent production, his injury, and his salary, no other team will want him.

Nice to see the Spy back, btw.  It's been years.

[ManchesterEagle]

9 hours ago, brkmsn said:

The two WRs really compliment each other. I'd love for both to be healthy throughout the 2020 season. 

 

8 hours ago, Portyansky said:

I agree. I just hope there will be a season.

 

2 hours ago, ilikepargo said:

Alshon isn't going anywhere this season.  He's too expensive to cut, and between his recent production, his injury, and his salary, no other team will want him.

Nice to see the Spy back, btw.  It's been years.

Whatever happens this season - DeSean and Alshon are our best chances at having an explosive O this year.

Neither are going anywhere and if they can stay healthy for most of the season they will be productive.

[cunninghamtheman]

Alshon’s gotta go

[MR-CYN]

Alshon is here for 2020. Next year it's bye bye. 

[20dawk4life]

On 4/22/2020 at 7:35 PM, brkmsn said:

The two WRs really compliment each other. I'd love for both to be healthy throughout the 2020 season. 

Yea both being healthy is key

[eagle45]

I don’t wish injury on anyone, but I want Alshon to stay on IR for 16 games.

He is an anchor for the offense.  He’s a light TE who doesn’t block.  He’s a thoroughbred horse with a broken leg.  He’s a true liability on the field.

Desean hyped up Alshon because Desean knows HE’S gone in 2021 if the Eagles draft a WR high (which they did).  More trust in Alshon kept alive the hope they’d go in a different direction.