DeSean Jackson's deal with the Redskins is for three years and includes $16 million guaranteed. In other NFL news, Darrius Heyward-Bey signed with the Steelers.
After weeks of speculation and rumors, wide receiver DeSean Jackson finally has a new home. The Washington Redskins made it official on Wednesday, inking Jackson to a three-year deal worth $24 million. The contract includes $16 million in guaranteed money.
IT'S OFFICIAL: 3-time Pro Bowl WR DeSean Jackson (@DeseanJackson10) signs his contract at #Redskins Park pic.twitter.com/LB42RM2vSN
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) April 2, 2014Jackson spoke with the media via conference call. He chose the Redskins mostly because he appreciated the way they reached out with him, particularly DeAngelo Hall and Robert Griffin III.
DeSean Jackson says he chose Washington because Snyder, Hall, RG3 made it feel like home. #Redskins
— Dianna Marie Russini (@NBCdianna) April 2, 2014DeSean Jackson says the way RGIII and DHall reached out to him and embraced him made him want to join #Redskins.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) April 2, 2014Jackson was released by the Philadelphia Eagles last week. He was mum on the situation in Philadelphia and prefers to move on to the next stage of his career.
DJax didn't want to talk about his release in Philly: "The people that really know me know that I'm a team guy." #RedskinsTalk
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 2, 2014DeSean Jackson:"I'm not going to say I do or don't have anything to prove [because of Philly release], I do every time I step on the field."
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) April 2, 2014The 27-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, grabbing 82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns. With Pierre Garcon, Alfred Morris and Jordan Reed also in the fold, Griffin III and new head coach Jay Gruden have a potentially dynamic offense to work with in 2014.
Here are some other NFL news items from Wednesday.
Steelers sign Darrius Heyward-Bey
The former Top 10 draft pick is on his third team in three years, signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Heyward-Bey has always been long on speed but never really lived up to his potential in Oakland. He was an abject disaster with the Indianapolis Colts, catching just 29 passes and committing nine drops before being benched by the end of the season.
With Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Lance Moore set as the top three receivers in Pittsburgh, Heyward-Bey won't be guaranteed a roster spot in 2014.
Robert Ayers agrees to terms with Giants
The New York Giants added another reinforcement to their defensive line, signing Robert Ayers to a two-year deal. Ayers spent the past five seasons with the Denver Broncos, recording 12 sacks as a situational player. The Giants are looking to replace Justin Tuck with some kind of rotation between Ayers, Mathias Kiwanuka and Damontre Moore. The Ayers signing could indicate that the Giants aren't quite ready to hand Moore a starting job yet.
Titans to release Chris Johnson soon
Chris Johnson's future in Tennessee has been sealed for quite some time, and it looks like the end is near. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Titans will release Johnson "at the end of this week or beginning of next week." The Titans are still trying to trade the former 2,000-yard rusher, but it doesn't like they'll find any takers.
The Jets have previously shown interest in Johnson and are expected to pursue him once Tennessee shows him the door. Johnson turns 29 in September and is no longer the same playmaker he used to be, but he still has good speed and could be a useful complementary back elsewhere.
Travelle Wharton leaning towards retirement
The former Panthers guard hinted at retirement before free agency began, but decided to stick it out. The main period of free agency has come and gone and Wharton still doesn't have a home, so Wharton is "leaning toward retirement" again. Wharton found little interest on the open market despite an excellent season, grading out as the fifth-best guard according to Pro Football Focus.
Turning 33 in May, Wharton could end up taking a smaller deal to return to Carolina. He spent his entire nine-year career with the Panthers.
Dan Orlovsky returns to Detroit
The last time Dan Orlovsky was with the Detroit Lions, he ran out of the back of the endzone for a safety and everyone had a good laugh. Orvlosvky gets to re-live those memories, signing a one-year to return to the Lions. The Lions were in need of a backup quarterback after losing Shaun Hill. Orvlosky is familiar with new coach Jim Caldwell, starting five games for the Colts in 2011. He spent the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.