Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson is reportedly worried he may not be part of the Eagles' long-term plans. The team, meanwhile, is said to be open to trading Jackson because the veteran doesn't fit into the "locker room culture" coach Chip Kelly wants to create.
Re-signing receivers Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin in the offseason put Jackson's future with Philadelphia in question. Although the Eagles reportedly aren't shopping Jackson, the veteran receiver is becoming concerned about his future with the team.
"(The trade rumors have not) gone unnoticed by the veteran receiver, who is currently training out in California. According to multiple sources familiar with the situation, Jackson is unsure about his standing on the team and troubled by what is being written about him," Tim McManus of Philadelphia Magazine wrote on Monday. "He has reached out to some of his teammates to express his concern. One of Jackson's top confidants says that the whole situation has become 'a bit of a distraction.'"
Separate reports from Jimmy Kempski and Paul Domowitch ofPhilly.com indicate the Eagles are open to dealing Jackson and have even discussed it, although haven't gone as far as putting him on the trading block.
"The Eagles are not going to shop Jackson," Kempski wrote on March 1. "The instant they do, they'll forfeit any negotiating advantage they may have in trying to recoup acceptable value in return. This is especially true with a personality like Jackson, who comes with a history of character concerns.
"However, if another team came calling, the Eagles certainly wouldn't laugh and hang up."
Aside from the $12.75 million owed in salary to Jackson, the Eagles are reportedly willing to part ways with Jackson because he doesn't have the type of character Kelly wants in the locker room.
"There's an opinion among some in the Eagles organization that Jackson's personality is not a great fit with the locker room culture that Chip Kelly is trying to cultivate, and the Eagles could be open to trading him," Kempski wrote.
Jackson, 27, finished the 2013 season with 82 receptions for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns.
