The Fan Hub

Rather than lose a Pro Bowl wide receiver to free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles now seem all but certain to apply the franchise tag to DeSean Jackson. The move is essentially a compromise between the team and the mercurial receiver, who drew the ire of the fans and coaching staff with his inconsistent performance in 2011 after asking for a contract extension during training camp.

Jackson was expected by many to have a career season in his contract walk year, but his moodiness clearly got the better of him at several points during what was a very disappointing season for Philadelphia. He held out for much of training camp, was benched by Andy Reid at for their game against the Arizona Cardinals (a loss) after missing team meeting, and publicly stated that his main priority was staying healthy rather than winning football games — which showed with his noticeable unwillingness to run routes over the middle. He also becomes invisible in the red zone due to his small size, catching just two passes all season from inside the 20.

However, Jackson’s effectiveness as a deep threat with his ability to stretch the field, along with his dynamic punt return skills, make him a unique playmaker, and someone that the Eagles are not yet ready to give up on. Their inconsistency during the first half of the season, which ultimately doomed their playoff chances, was followed up by a more impressive second half, and has many in Philadelphia believing that they have almost all the right pieces in place.

By franchising Jackson, the Eagles would guarantee him a one-year deal worth around $9.5 million, and could always trade him or sign him to an extension with different terms down the road. But like defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, this can almost be seen as a stay of execution. They’re not ready to give up on this core after just one season, but if the Eagles stick to a one-year deal, it’s a clear indication that this would be a ‘Super Bowl or bust’ season. They have too much talent in too pressurized of a market to give people multiple chances to straighten up their act. So a one-year deal will give Jackson an opportunity to prove that he can still be a team player, an effective deep threat, and that he has matured to the point where he will stop taking dumb taunting penalties. If not, he can bet that he’ll be seeking new employment next year.

— Craig Lowell