When Will Reality Hit San Diego Chargers Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson?

When you think of the top wide receivers in the NFL Vincent Jackson rarely crosses your mind. Vincent Jackson is in a contract dispute with the San Diego Chargers. He wants a 5-year deal worth $50 million dollars ($30 million guaranteed). No that is not a typo that is actually what he is requesting for his services. Over the past few years Jackson's numbers cant even compare to the likes of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Larry Fitzgerald, or Reggie Wayne. I could actually name more receivers that have better numbers than him but I will be nice.

San Diego Chargers are known as a cheap organization that rarely pays its premiere players, but they recently paid Darren Sproles, Phillip Rivers, and Antonio Gates hefty contracts. Vincent Jackson is living in a fantasy world if he thinks he will get the contract he wants. A few years ago Larry Fitzgerald signed a 4-year deal worth $40 million dollars. At that time he was a young 24 year old coming off a pro bowl season and by the way he is Larry Fitzgerald. Vincent Jackson is 27 years old and has only had two 1,000 yard seasons. I respect Jackson as a player, but he went overboard this off-season complaining about his contract.

If the San Diego Chargers can trade Jackson it would be a good riddance. The Chargers have promising receivers such as Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanae waiting to emerge and they can be just as efficient for a much cheaper price. With Phillip Rivers at the helm the Chargers will not miss a beat if Jackson continues to act like a prima dona.

I can understand the players wanting to get paid for their play on the field, but when the pay overrides the play it becomes absurd. Jackson isn’t even a top 10 receiver, but he wants top 5 receiver pay. Reggie Wayne wants a new contract as well, but he reported to camp ready to contribute to his team. The San Diego Chargers learned a lesson from overpaying David Boston years back and we remember the results from that situation. Memo to Vincent Jackson: Receivers come a dime a dozen and you will be an afterthought in San Diego if you keep it up.