DeSean Jackson is set to become one of the biggest-name receivers to hit the free-agent market next month. While it's been reported that the Redskins plan to let Jackson walk, the speedy wideout would prefer to remain in D.C.
"I do want to still be here," Jackson said Thursday, via the team's official website. "My family and my house, I have everything here and I don't want to be in a transaction and move. First things first, I do want to be here and hopefully we can make it work. But once again this is a business so things happen. I'm just really excited about the opportunity I have to sit and now the ball's in my corner a little bit and see what we can do. I'm just excited and I'm going to let my agent care of all that. Ready to just sit back and whatever offers come in but obviously, like I said, I do want to be here."
The sentiment from Jackson is nice, but money talks in free agency. Jackson didn't exactly quash speculation about returning to the Philadelphia Eagles during the season -- the team that cut him three years ago.
There also have been rumors that the Redskins don't value Jackson as highly as he might value himself. Mike Jones of the Washington Post reported Thursday that Jackson is "too inconsistent for management's taste."
Jackson compiled 2,702 yards and 14 touchdowns in three seasons with the Redskins, while missing nine games due to injury.
The 30-year-old speedster believes he can still be the best deep threat in the NFL.
"I still feel like I'm 26 and I can still run with those young dudes," Jackson said. "I'm really at that point now where free agency is a big year for me in my career and where I am. ... But wherever it takes me, I still feel like I'm going to put in the work, run fast and do that acrobatic things I've been doing throughout my career."
If the Redskins let Jackson walk, the question becomes which player in Washington will threaten to take the top off the defense, opening the underneath routes for the likes of Jamison Crowder? With Pierre Garcon also scheduled to hit free agency, big changes are likely coming to the Redskins' receiver corps.