Vincent Jackson signed a reported five-year, $55.6-million contract Tuesday with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pierre Garcon agreed to a five-year, $42.5-million deal with the Washington Redskins on the same day to help start the NFL's free agency period with a bang.
Both teams invested a lot of money looking to improve their receiving corps. But which team's deal made more sense?
Jackson, who has spent all seven years of his pro career with the San Diego Chargers, appears to give Tampa Bay the deep threat it has needed. He has 36 catches of 25-plus yards during the last four season and has averaged 18 yards per reception during that span.
He made the Pro Bowl in 2009 with a career-high 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns. After playing only five games in 2010 due to an extended holdout, a suspension and injury, Jackson returned to form last season with 1,106 yards and nine touchdowns.
But can he help quarterback Josh Freeman recover from a second-year slump that saw him throw 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions following a 25-touchdown, six-interception showing in his first season as a starter? The Buccaneers seem to think so. They will pay Jackson $36 million in guaranteed payouts the first three years of the deal, including $26 million the first two years, according to agent Jonathan Feinsod.
