The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were expecting big things from DeSean Jackson when they signed the wide receiver to a three-year, $33 million contract last offseason, but his first year with the team was largely disappointing. Jackson is hoping to change that in 2018.
While appearing on Fox Sports 1’s “The Undisputed” this week, Jackson was asked about his surprising lack of deep ball hookups with Winston in their first year together. He said that is something the duo is working to address.
“I mean, offseason we’re coming in working, put the time in,” Jackson said, as transcribed by Florida Football Insiders. “We got like three days in. Just going on to Texas A&M, where his coach (Jimbo Fisher) coaches now. Going to go there and see Jimbo. Mike Evans is out there. He’s going to come out there. He’s going to come out here to L.A.
“I think we have to merge. … Last year everything kind of happened at the snap of a finger. You got the offseason. You got free agent signings. Everybody was happy about the off-season, but the work has to be put in.”
Jackson said a lot of the issues this past season stemmed from timing, which he and Winston are already working on. With a base salary of $11 million for 2018, the Bucs are expecting a lot more than 50 catches for 668 yards and three touchdowns. With Mike Evans demanding most of the attention, Jackson should be able to provide Tampa with a big-play threat. For whatever reason, he failed to do that in his first year with the team.
