(via Tampa Bay Buccaneers Communications) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that the team has agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson on a multi-year contract.
Jackson (5-10, 175) comes to Tampa Bay after spending the past three seasons with the Washington Redskins (2014-16). Prior to his time with Washington, Jackson spent six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (2008-13). In his nine-year career, Jackson has started 123-of-126 regular season games played, catching 498 passes for 8,819 yards and 46 touchdowns.
“It is rare to find a player in free agency with the combination of speed and natural playmaking ability of a DeSean Jackson,” said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. “DeSean is a smart, gifted athlete who has averaged more than 17 yards per reception throughout his nine-year career and brings the type of veteran experience and deep threat receiving ability that will have an immediate impact on our offense.”
A three-time Pro Bowl selection (2009, 2010, 2013) and a 2009 second-team Associated Press All-Pro selection (kick returner), Jackson’s 8,819 receiving yards are the fifth-most since he entered the league in 2008 (Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson). Among players with 100 career games played, Jackson ranks 15th in league annals with a 70.0 receiving yards per game average. A veteran of postseason play, Jackson has also started all seven playoff contests he has played, catching 21 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns.
Known for his big-play ability, Jackson is one of five players since the 1970 merger to account for 26 career touchdowns of 50+ yards, joining Jerry Rice (36), Randy Moss (29), Terrell Owens (26) and Steve Smith (26). Only Rice (23) has more than Jackson’s 22 touchdowns of 60+ yards.
“Desean is exactly the type of dynamic playmaker we have been targeting for our offense,” said Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter. “Desean brings a veteran presence and a big-play mentality that fits in perfectly with our offensive philosophy. He is a tough-minded competitor who has the game-breaking speed and pass-catching ability that stretches the defense and creates matchup problems.”
Since 2008, Jackson’s 112 receptions of 25+ yards, 37 receptions of 50+ yards and 17.7 yards per reception average (min. 60 career catches) all lead the NFL. The 37 catches of 50+ yards are 14 more than any other player during that span, while his five 1,000-yard receiving seasons and 32 100-yard receiving games are each tied for the fifth-most. Additionally, his per catch averages in 2010 (22.5) and 2014 (20.9) rank second and fourth, respectively, among all single seasons over that nine-year period.
Showcasing his versatility, Jackson has also rushed 61 times for 380 yards (6.2 avg.) and three touchdowns and returned 134 punts for 1,289 yards and four touchdowns. In 2010, Jackson became the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year when he was chosen as a wide receiver and a return specialist.
A native of Long Beach, California, Jackson played collegiately at California. He originally entered the league as a second-round pick (49th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2008 NFL Draft.
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