Lurie: Would welcome DeSean back
Jeffrey Lurie said that he would welcome DeSean Jackson back to the Eagles "if the right terms develop."
Lurie: Would welcome DeSean back
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Jeffrey Lurie said that he would welcome DeSean Jackson back to the Eagles "if the right terms develop."
The Eagles owner, of course, was referring to Jackson's contract situation and whether the Eagles would offer the wide receiver a new deal or place the one-year franchise tag on him in February.
Jackson's four-year contract expires in March. He admitted Sunday after the season finale that he let the situation over his expiring contract become a distraction this season. In November, Eagles coach Andy Reid benched Jackson for the Cardinals game because he was late for a meeting. Later that month, he was benched in the fourth quarter against the Patriots when he short-armed a few passes.
"DeSean is a terrific player," Lurie said Tuesday after he announced that Reid would return for his 14th season. "I think his attitude and his whole approach in the final month of the season was terrific -- high energy. I think he started to realize and get it."
Jackson caught 15 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns down the stretch. He finished the season with 58 catches for 961 yards and four touchdowns, but did not have the breakout year many thought he would have in the last year of his contract.
"So I would welcome him back," Lurie said. "If the right terms develop he would be welcomed back. We have the leverage of, obviously, we can do what we choose to do and control his situation. Terrific player and I really don't agree with those that don't think that he's tapped his potential fully. I think he hasn't and he has a chance to get even better."
Jackson said Sunday that he would be OK if the Eagles franchised him. The 25-year-old receiver would stand to make approximately $10 million next season if the Eagles did. Jackson, of course, wants an extension and was believed to want something in the neighborhood of $50 million over five years.
Giants could not sign him....what do you think Cruz would think if they bought in Djax...now Wash certainly would love to have him and I am sure they would pay him top dollar however would Djax want to play for a team who he has no idea who the qb will be? Doubt he would want Rex throwing him picks his way...you think Vick had a bad year? Sheeeeet....— glove69- I can't say I blame D-JAX at all. Would anyone here be willing to give up all their future revenue potential (in the millions) for $37,00 per game with nothing guaranteed beyond the rest of the season? I certainly wouldn't...and I'm not 5 foot nothing, 100 and nothing pounds with 11 men all much larger than me running at full speed trying to knock my head off.— C-MO
- Pay the man!— NC Eagle Fan
- If we let him walk we need to get SPEED to replace him...we all saw what happened when he was benched 1 game...just sayin...— softballdude
- What is so crazy about Djax? He's a football player!!!! They are cray as hell anyway. I bet it's all white people saying get rid of him.You people still trying to make black people like you!!!— MUSTAFA215
- More junk, more baloney, more hooey ...— petergou
- The Eagles pissed away 10 million on Vince Young, Steve Smith and Ronnie Brown which could of gone to stroking Desean's ego. Furthermore, if Reid would of let Desean play in the Arizona game I am convinced the Eagles would be in the playoffs. These blunders along with bringing in an inexperienced defensive coordinator sank the birds. That being said, the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know. Give Reid and Desean one more season. They deserve it. It is tough being a negative, miserable and disappointed Philadelphia sports fan, but luckily I have lived in California for 9 years and live in the bubble of happiness.— Teddunbar
- Just redo the guy's contract already.— p-diddy
