When DeSean Jackson was released by the Philadelphia Eagles this week, his ties to Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins indicated him for a 2021 meeting. After all, it is the infancy of the off-season, so each pitcher finds a hypothetical path to Minnesota. These recently launched spitting bowls rarely work, but some people find them irresistible.
Jackson takes center stage for the ghost “bring it to the Vikings”, at least for a news cycle or something. Together, Jackson and Cousins were excellent for the Washington Football Team. Jackson was the first catcher of the Cousins balls, helping Cousins’ statistical production as much as possible. In fact, Jackson has led all NFL players since 2010 in receptions of more than 50 yards – by a mile. He has collected 35 receptions that have won 50 yards or more in the past decade. The next closest wide receivers on this metric are Mike Wallace and Jordy Nelson – with 23 each. Of those 35 catches of more than 50 yards by Jackson since 2010, 31% have been delivered by Cousins. Eight of them still went for touchdowns. In fact, Cousins-to-Jackson was a prolific connection in Washington, and does not receive much publicity.
Naturally, this means that the two can recreate utopia at the US Bank Stadium, correct? Well, maybe. But several other factors are lurking in Jackson’s potential marriage and the Vikings – many of them undesirable.
Injuries – yes, those
When people talk about Jackson, the sun and the rainbow decorate their thoughts. Jackson’s perception is that of his peak performance. Think of it as nostalgia.
The Vikings very well managed to hire Jackson, allowing a rejuvenation of his 20s with Cousins in control of the attack. However, these types of transactions usually end in a groan. Why? Because Jackson is no longer in his 20s.
He will be a 35-year-old wide receiver in 2021 – a player who has lost 75% of all football matches due to injury in the past two seasons. Jackson may join the club in Eagan fully revitalized, but this is not a Madden video game. Injuries are important. And with age, they increase. Jackson is more likely to be in the twilight of his career – like any other 34-year-old player – than on the verge of a massive WR3 campaign with the Vikings next season.
Anti-Semitism
Remember that post from Jackson on social media last year?
“Because white Jews know that blacks are the true children of Israel and to keep America’s secret, Jews will blackmail America. They will extort America, their plan for world domination will not work if blacks know who they are. The white citizens of America will be terrified to know that all this time they have mistreated, discriminated against and lynched the Children of Israel ”.
Nothing says “hire this guy with the Vikings” like a quote widely attributed to Adolf Hitler. Of course, men and women are entitled to redemption after stupid moments like this. This Instagram post shouldn’t ruin your life. He apologized after the confusion.
But the Vikings’ property is made up of Jewish-Americans. There is a world where Zygi and Mark Wilf can forgive and forget, but asking them to pounce on a job seeker who referred to Hitler as the subject of a strange marriage. Usually, using the Holocaust Orchestrator as a social media tool is not a big deal when it comes to Jewish Americans. Or any non-fanatic human in general.
“Ties to cousins” is probably not enough
It is true that Cousins and Jackson had battlefield chemistry – underestimated in most circles. Vikings can score Jackson for a final howl while he is looking for a job, and Minnesota is trying to win a Super Bowl. But that would make bedmates very strange, considering Jackson’s recent injury problems and his apparent affinity with Hitler.
More realistically, Minnesota will find a Tajae Sharpe-type WR3 in a free agency for 2021 – but it will actually use the new guy this time. Or – the team can spend one of its four 4º-The complete draft chooses a beginner WR3. If none of these alternatives is on the agenda of general manager Rick Spielman, the Vikings have a tight ending in Irv Smith Jr. hungry for targets and an escape season.
It is absolutely mandatory to fantasize the “what if” of a Jackson-for-the-Vikings transaction, but the arguments against it are somewhat blunt.
