Why DeSean Jackson Franchise Tag Is Smart Insurance for Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles will place the franchise tag on controversial wide receiver DeSean Jackson, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be playing in Philly next season. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles will not allow their star-crossed wideout to hit the open market and allow him to leave without at least receiving something in return. 

He says the chance that both sides come to a long-term agreement is highly unlikely. 

Right now, making Jackson the Eagles' franchise player is the smartest move the Eagles can possibly make. Although Jackson was unceremoniously sent to Andy Reid's dog house and Philadelphia drastically underachieved for the vast majority of the 2011 season, the guy is still a dynamic, game-breaking wide receiver. 

Rarely do teams get better when they let high-caliber players leave their franchise, especially if they get nothing in return. 

Think about it this way: Even in what everyone will correctly peg as a disappointing year for the electric Jackson, he still reeled in 58 passes for 961 yards with four touchdowns. Yes, he needs to clean up the drops, but he's still one of the threatening playmakers in the NFL.

If the Eagles coaching staff and ultimately the front office don't believe Jackson can mature and are ready to move forward without him, if franchised, they can trade him and receive a relatively high draft pick, possibly a second or third-rounder. 

In my estimation, both sides would be better off if he stays in the City of Brotherly Love. The Eagles' wide-open, vertical passing system suits Jackson's style of play perfectly, and he's the type of player Michael Vick needs in his offense. 

Remember, the main reason Jackson was previously upset was based on the fact he was grossly underpaid. The most he has made in base salary is $550,000. He recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2009 and 2010 and wasn't rewarded. 

I'd be a little ticked, too. 

By franchising Jackson, he'd likely receive between nine and 10 million next season and could once again become an instrumental facet of the Eagle's high-powered offense. 

He'd be happy, right? 

Yes. 

Jackson has said he'd be fine playing as the team's franchise player. A happy DeSean Jackson yields a good, playmaking DeSean Jackson. 

Make it happen, Eagles. 

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