Washington Redskins May Want Vincent Jackson, but Chargers Won't Let Him Go

According to Mark Maske of the Washington Post, the Redskins are quite interested in adding a stud No. 1 receiver and San Diego's Vincent Jackson is mentioned:

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Several people in the sport said a leading target for the Redskins could be San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson. The issue with Jackson, as with some of the other top receivers with expiring contracts, is whether he will remain available after Monday’s deadline for teams to use their franchise-player tags.

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That being said, with the franchise tag deadline closing in fast, the Chargers do have to make a decision sooner than later. And in an article by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Bolts are still weighing options:

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He has desired a long-term commitment from the Chargers for more than three years and his list of suitors will make re-signing him a challenge once he gets to the open market.

The Chargers still could place the $13.7 million franchise tag on Jackson until March 5, but team sources have long termed that highly unlikely due to the need to fill so many other holes.

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What we have here simply depends on what other teams not named the Washington Redskins are going to offer Jackson if a long-term deal doesn't get done before the franchise deadline.

Fortunately for Washington and everyone else interested in Jackson, that deadline is approaching quickly. However, all can be averted by a franchise tag that so far has seemed to be a moot point.

There's no doubt that Vincent Jackson would significantly boost the Redskins offense. They need a well-established No. 1 receiver who can make plays on a consistent basis and other than a quarterback, that's arguably their biggest offensive need.

But, it's not like Jackson would only help the Redskins, and certainly other franchises would make him an appealing offer. San Diego on the other hand, can't afford to lose him because then quarterback Philip Rivers has Malcom Floyd, Vincent Brown and Patrick Crayton (if he re-signs) as his receiving corps.

Not nearly as dangerous without Jackson, right?

Also, the Chargers have a distinct advantage with Jackson in the AFC West. The Denver Broncos don't have a receiver on his level and nor do the Oakland Raiders.

The Kansas City Chiefs have Dwayne Bowe, but their current quarterback situation is up in the air with health, production and consistency issues.

San Diego has that edge over their rivals—a legitimized passing game with a dominant No. 1 receiver who complements a tight end (Antonio Gates) better than anyone in that division. And if the Bolts want to remain AFC West title contenders, retaining Jackson is imperative.

Therefore, it's more reasonable to suspect that Jackson gets offered a long-term deal as opposed to receiving the franchise tag. In two of the past three seasons, Jackson has been a Pro Bowler (2009, 2011) and compiled over 1,000 receiving yards in three of the past four years.

Although San Diego is projected to have way less cap space than Washington, expect the franchise tag on someone else because losing Vincent Jackson cannot be an option for the Chargers.

John Rozum on Twitter.