National Football League
Report: Eagles to franchise Jackson
National Football League

Report: Eagles to franchise Jackson

Published Feb. 12, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

The Philadelphia Eagles are set to franchise wide receiver DeSean Jackson, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Sunday, citing sources.

The sources said the team was not willing to let go of the Pro Bowler, whose contract is about to expire, without getting something in return.

It means the Eagles have three options before the March 5 deadline to franchise players: franchise Jackson and keep him for next season; franchise him and trade him; or agree to a contract extension. The last option, however, appeared unlikely, according to the report.

Franchising Jackson would mean the fifth-year receiver would not reach the open market.

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He would earn about $9.5 million, or nearly $9 million more than his base salary from last season, if he played under the tag in 2012.

The 25-year-old said at the end of the campaign that he would have no problem with the franchise designation.

Jackson's push for a long-term contract last season, which included boycotting most of the Eagles' training camp in the hopes of forcing the team's front office to the negotiating table, may have played some part in his level of play slipping.

He had 58 receptions for 961 yards and four touchdowns in 2011, compared to 47 catches for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns in 2010, and 62 catches for 1,156 yards and nine touchdowns in 2009.

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