Chargers’ holdout Jackson prepared to sit out 2010
For the first time in his entire absence from the San Diego Chargers’ off-season program, wide receiver Vincent Jackson has spoken about his holdout. Jackson refused to sign his restricted free agent tender this off-season and says he will not report to the Chargers until he is given the contract he wants.
Jackson is prepared to sit out the entire 2010 season, saying he’s been financially smart and can handle a season without pay, waiting for a big pay-day in the future. Jackson would have made $3.3 million this season had he signed his tender, but he wants a long-term deal with guaranteed money in an unstable, injury-plagued sport.
"I'm ready for the long haul, but again I miss football," Jackson said. "I'm passionate about the game. I wouldn't be out here training and working as hard as I am if I wasn't. I'm hoping everything works out, but I'm not holding my breath for anything."
Jackson is working out by himself and is still waiting for the Chargers to either pay him what he wants, or to be traded to a team that will. Jackson is looking for is a five-year deal worth $50 million with $30 million guaranteed. The Chargers decreased their offer to Jackson when he didn’t sign by the June 15th deadline. If Jackson were to sign with the Chargers now, he’d make only $550,000 this season, unless the Chargers would be willing to go with their initial offer.
The Chargers have also placed him on the roster exempt list meaning he’ll be suspended for three games when or if he returns. He also will have to serve an additional three-game suspension from the NFL after being arrested with a DUI in February.
Jackson said he has not spoken with the Chargers’ organization, letting his agents handle all talks. Jackson is represented by Neil Schwartz who also has another client holding out in Darrelle Revis.
The Chargers have not given the impression that they’d be willing to trade Jackson. They’ve only given him permission to speak with the Seattle Seahawks. Jackson finds that hard to figure out as there are other teams interested in acquiring him. Jackson’s agents were also told that there were certain teams they would not trade Jackson to, but refused to reveal those teams to Schwartz.
"We've been trying to figure that out," Jackson said. "... We're not being granted permission to speak to other teams and we're not even sure if they want to trade me. I would love to stay in San Diego. That's where I've been and I have a good relationship with the guys that are there. I miss being around my team mates, but again I understand the beast of the business. We're just controlling everything we can right now."
Without Jackson, the Chargers have a hole to fill at wide receiver. In each of his last two seasons, Jackson has surpassed 1000 yards. Last season he had 68 receptions for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns.
The mystery of this situation continues and there are no signs of anything getting done in terms of a new contract or a trade. Jackson has to play at least six games this year in order to earn an accrued season to guarantee becoming an unrestricted free agent after the 2010 season. If there is a new collective bargaining agreement next year, Jackson may still become an unrestricted free agent, but there are no guarantees.
Smart money would bet on him holding out as long as he can before playing the minimum amount of games he must play to become unrestricted next year. In any case, the Chargers have to figure out what they want to do with him. They’ll either have to pay him, trade him or risk losing him to free agency next year.
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