The Los Angeles Rams and wide receiver DeSean Jackson seemed to be a perfect match when they team up this offseason. The Rams greatly lacked a deep threat last season, and Jackson would have the opportunity to return to his hometown team with the opportunity to win a Super Bowl.
Things seemed to be going well as Jackson caught a couple of bombs in the big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, adding a layer to the Rams’ offense that previously wasn’t there.
The veteran’s snap counts have decreased weekly since though with the emergence of Van Jefferson as the team’s No. 3 receiver alongside Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods.
Jackson was reportedly unhappy with his lack of touches, which led to him asking to be traded ahead of Tuesday’s deadline and sitting out the Week 8 game against the Houston Texans.
The deadline came and went without a trade though, so according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Rams will receive Jackson to allow him to latch on somewhere else:
The #Rams are expected to release DeSean Jackson, per sources. Both parties explored trade possibilities. Jackson would have stayed but this gives him chance to get more playing time. He'll be subject to waivers.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 2, 2021
Jackson then took to Instagram to confirm he is no longer with the team:
If a team claims Jackson on waivers then they would pick up the remainder of his salary, which is about $1.4 million, and the Rams would be off the hook. If he goes unclaimed though, which is the likely scenario, then he would remain on the Rams’ books for the remainder of the season.
It’s unfortunate that Jackson didn’t want to stick around and chase a Super Bowl with the Rams as he would’ve been one injury away from seeing significantly more playing time. The organization respected his decision and granted him his release though, so they now may be looking to add another receiver in free agency after also losing rookie Tutu Atwekk to a season-ending shoulder injury.
