Former Washington receiver DeSean Jackson contemplating retirement

As expected, the Washington Commanders opted against addressing their middling receiving corps in free agency.

While they re-signed Cam Sims, who fans are itching to see get more playing time, they let DeAndre Carter ink a deal with the Chargers and don’t seem keen on retaining veteran slot man Adam Humphries

Assuming the Commanders add a receiver in one of the first two rounds of the upcoming draft, they’ll deploy a unit of Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, the draft pick, Sims, and Dax Milne, who managed nine catches as a rookie in 2021.

In terms of emergency options, Washington signed Antonio Gandy-Golden, Kelvin Harmon and Marken Michel to reserve/future contracts in January. They’ll practice with the team throughout the offseason in hope of making the practice squad.

In other words, the Commanders have plenty of options, so they’re likely not pursuing a reunion with former WR DeSean Jackson, who revealed this week that he’s mulling retirement, but would continue playing for the “right situation.”

Former Washington wide receiver DeSean Jackson is undecided on his NFL future.

Here’s what Jackson said during an interview with Sports Illustrated

"I’m not really sure if I’m going to play or not. I know I announced it and said I was going to play, but it’s just really where I am at this point in my life, it’s got to be the right fit. To play 14 years in the NFL, going to Philly, going to Washington, Tampa, going back to Philly and then playing for the Rams and then playing for the Raiders, it’s got to fit right for me, but my career has been one hell of a ride."

If this is the end of Jackson’s time in the NFL, what a career it was. Despite bouncing around the league (he played for five different teams), he was always feared as one of the preeminent deep threats at the wide receiver position.

Drafted by the Eagles in the second round in 2008, Jackson spent six years with Philadelphia before he joined Washington in 2014. Though D-Jax never made a Pro Bowl in Ashburn, he was as good as advertised, leading the league in yards per reception in both 2014 and 2016.

In those seasons, Jackson cracked the 1,000-yard receiving threshold. He never logged more than 60 receptions, but that just encapsulates his big-play ability. When the speedster got the ball in his hands, he made things happen.

Part of the reason Jackson is contemplating retirement? He told Sports Illustrated he’s “surpassed every level” he thought he would attain. With that said, the 35-year-old would lace ’em up again if the right opportunity came knocking.

As you would expect, Jackson is only open to playing for a contender that boasts strong quarterback play.

"“If the right situation calls, a great quarterback, not just a a good [quarterback]. There’s a few teams [I’d play for]: The Chiefs maybe one. The Browns. Russell Wilson in Denver. Green Bay… We’ll see for sure.”"

That’s one way to find out if teams are interested in you. If we had to guess on Jackson’s next destination, the Browns seem like the early frontrunners, as Deshaun Watson recently made it clear on Instagram he wants to play with Jackson.

Whatever ends up happening with Jackson, it’s fair to say he won’t be returning to Washington despite his history with Carson Wentz. And if the three-time Pro Bowler calls it a career, we wish him nothing but the best in retirement.