In a move that was expected before the season even began, the Eagles are going to release veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Jackson was set to count for $10.659 million on the Eagles salary cap in 2021. By releasing him the team will save $4.857 million on the salary cap. He will cost the team $5.802 million in dead money.
Jackson had been a dynamic receiver for the Eagles years ago before an ugly split saw him wind up with Washington and later the Buccaneers. The Eagles were very aggressive in bringing him back in 2019, first trading for him and then signing him to a new three year contract worth $27 million.
The second run for Jackson with the Eagles, however, was nothing like the first. Jackson could not stay on the field playing in just 8 games in two seasons. The Eagles wound up paying Jackson $17.4 million for 25 receptions for 395 yards and 3 touchdowns. Following the release the Eagles should be around $42 million over the $180 million cap floor for 2021.
Jason is the founder of OTC and has been studying NFL contracts and the salary cap for over 15 years. Jason has co-authored two books about the NFL, Crunching Numbers and the Drafting Stage, which are widely circulated in the industry and hosts the OTC Podcast. Jason’s work has been featured in various publications including the Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, NFL Network and more. OTC is widely considered the leading authority on contract matters in the NFL.