Vincent Jackson: Contract ripped by PFF
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson has been largely productive during his tenure in The Sunshine State. From 2012-2014, he managed at least 70 receptions each season and produced over 1,000 receiving yards.
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However, the 33-year-old missed six games in 2015 and was limited to 33 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns. Those are numbers that suggest the perennial Pro Bowler is on a decline. Pass-catchers don’t bounce back from disappointing seasons at age 32.
With one year remaining on his deal, worth $12.21 million, Pro Football Focus ranked it as the third-worst NFL contract for a receiver, finishing only behind Demaryius Thomas (one,) and Dez Bryant (two.)
Jackson signed a five-year deal worth $55.55 million with the Bucs in the summer of 2012. By no means was his contract a bust, but the term and length was probably more than the Bucs had bargained for. Eric Eager broke down his expensive and terrible contract, citing his porous 2015 stats:
“These numbers continued a monotonic decline in Jackson’s production since arriving in Tampa Bay, with his yardage totals going from 1,384 (2012), 1,224 (2013), 1,002 (2014), to 543 (2015), respectively. While the deep ball has always been a part of his game, his deep receptions have also fallen, decreasing from 17 (2012) to six (2015) in that timespan.”
Eager did point out that the Bucs would be better off keeping Vincent Jackson and pairing him with Mike Evans for 2016. That probably is the best option, as second-year quarterback Jameis Winston needs all of the veteran and receiver help he can get as his game develops.
Luckily for Bucs fans, Jackson’s contract runs up next season. Even if it’s the worst season of his career in 2016, they aren’t committed to keeping him any longer.
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