St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson will void the final year of his contract on March 12, a development that does not come as a surprise.
1. St. Louis Rams:It never feels good for a player to take a pay cut to stay in the same uniform, but I still suspect the Rams might value Jackson more than any other team out there. Jackson is no longer a big playmaker, but he's reliable and could split carries with Daryl Richardson again. Coach Jeff Fisher likes Jackson. A two-year deal worth about $9 million might be the best offer Jackson can get.
2. Atlanta Falcons:Michael Turner is expected to get cut. Jackson can give the Falcons similar inside toughness with far more versatility in the passing game and ATL's Chris Wesseling thinks Jackson could be the missing piece of the puzzle. Jacquizz Rodgers isn't ready to carry the load by himself.
3. New England Patriots: It just seems like a Bill Belichick type of move. Jackson can do a little bit of everything well and provide some leadership for Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen. Choosing the Patriots would be Jackson choosing a chance for a title over maxing out on carries.
4. New York Giants: They are a team that's willing to pay for running backs. Jackson could have a Brandon Jacobs-like role alongside David Wilson.
5. Detroit Lions: The Lions already have Mikel Leshoure, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan -- Jackson's old coach in St. Louis -- could sell the Lions on Jackson's ability to stabilize a weak running back group.
6. Indianapolis Colts: They have money to burn and the need for some veteran reliability in the backfield.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
