When DeSean Jackson was released by the Philadelphia Eagles this week, his ties to Minnesota Vikings full-back Kirk Cousins nominated him for a reunion in 2021. After all, it’s the off – season kids’ shoes, so every player released, find a hypothetical road to Minnesota. These spitball scenarios that have been released are rare, but some people find them irresistible.
Jackson takes center stage for the phantom “bring him to the Vikings” chat, at least for a news cycle. Together, Jackson and Cousins were huge for the Washington Football Team. It was Jackson who was an early catcher of Cousins ’balls and helped Cousins’ statistical production to the extreme. In fact, Jackson has been leading all NFL players since 2010 in receiving more than 50 yards – a mile. He has dragged in 35 receptions over the past decade that have won 50 yards or more. The closest wide receivers in this measure are Mike Wallace and Jordy Nelson – with 23 pieces. Of the 35 catches more than 50 yards from Jackson since 2010, 31% were delivered by Cousins. Eight of them even spoke for stroke. Indeed, Cousins-to-Jackson was a productive commitment in Washington, and it did not have much publicity.
Of course, that means the two can recreate the utopia in the US Bank Stadium, right? Well, maybe. But there are various factors that lie in the marriage of Jackson and the Vikings – many of them are undesirable.
Injuries – Yes, That
When people think of Jackson, sunshine and rainbows tickle their minds. Jackson’s perception is that of his top performance. Think of it as nostalgia.
The Vikings can sign Jackson very well, allowing a rejuvenation of his mid-20s with Cousins in charge of the offense. Yet these types of transactions usually end with a moan. Why? Because Jackson is no longer in his mid 20s.
He is a 35-year-old receiver in 2021 – one who has missed 75% of all football matches due to injury in the past two seasons. Jackson might join the club in Eagan, but it’s not a Madden video game. Injuries matter. And as one gets older, it increases. Jackson is more likely to be in the twilight of his career – like every other 34-year-old widespread – than he is at the helm of a giant WR3 campaign with the Vikings next season.
Anti-Semitism
Do you remember this social media post from Jackson last year?
‘Because the white Jews know that the Negroes are the real children of Israel and to keep America’s secret, the Jews will blackmail America. They will blackmail America, their plan for world domination will not work if the Negroes know who they were. The white citizens of America will be terrified to know that they are abusing, discriminating and lynching the children of Israel.
Nothing says ‘sign this man for the Vikings’ like a quote widely attributed to Adolf Hitler. Of course, men and women are entitled to salvation after such moments. This Instagram post should not ruin his life. He apologizes after the kerfuffle.
But the Vikings’ ownership is made up of Jewish Americans. There is a world where Zygi and Mark Wilf can forgive and forget, but they ask to tackle a player for service who referred to Hitler for subject matter in a strange marriage. Usually the use of the orchestrator of the Holocaust is not a social media flex a good thing if you are dealing with Jewish Americans. Or any people who are not generous, in general.
“Tires on cousins” probably not enough
It is true that Cousins and Jackson had a chemical chemical – underestimated in most circles. The Vikings can ink Jackson for one last hurray while looking for work, and Minnesota is trying to win a Super Bowl. But that would make for a terribly strange bedfellow, given Jackson’s recent injuries and his apparent relationship with Hitler.
More realistically, Minnesota will find a Tajae Sharpe-type WR3 in free agency for 2021 – but use the new man this time. Or – the team can spend one of its four 4de-Round draft picks on an upcoming WR3. If none of the alternatives are on general manager Rick Spielman’s agenda, the Vikings have a fixed point in Irv Smith Jr.
It’s completely out of the question to fantasize about the ‘what if’ of a Jackson-to-the-Vikings deal, but the arguments against it are a little too damning.
