DeSean Jackson could be on his way to AFC West

When wide receiver DeSean Jackson first expressed a longing to get out of Los Angeles given the lack of opportunities for him in the Rams offense, the Kansas City Chiefs were immediately mentioned as a potential destination knowing his former connection with head coach Andy Reid when the two were together with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now it looks as if Jackson-to-the-AFC West might be materializing after all—just not with the Chiefs.

NFL reporter Michael Silver notes that the Las Vegas Raiders not only have interest in Jackson as a midseason roster addition to the offense, but they’ve also already interviewed him and that a signing could come as early as Monday if no other suitors enter the picture enough to delay or sway the decision.

Nothing is certain yet, as Silver notes, and Adam Caplan followed that report up by saying that Jackson has more interest (and more interviews) coming this weekend as he sorts out his options.

The Raiders are doing what they can in the wake of some devastating losses this offseason and deserve credit for being as successful as they have been in the face of considerable drama and tragic circumstances. They’re currently led by interim head coach Rich Bisaccia after Jon Gruden was let go following the release of former email messages in which he used racist and homophobic remarks.

Most recently, the Raiders officially released wide receiver Henry Ruggs III after he was charged with a DUI and more after a woman was killed as the victim of a high-speed accident in which Ruggs was driving over 150 miles per hour while intoxicated. The Raiders did the right thing immediately by releasing him and Ruggs now faces considerable jail time.

On the field, Ruggs was emerging as a reliable deep threat in his second season, leaving the Raiders offense stymied in its capacity to stretch the field vertically. Jackson might be in his mid-thirties, but he’s already been a solid receiver with top speed who has led the NFL in yards/reception in four seasons. Just how much is left in the tank is a legitimate question since the Rams don’t seem too despondent about moving on from him, but he’s made the most of eight catches this season with 221 total receiving yards.

The truth is that Jackson hasn’t been a consistent threat to move the needle for any team since 2018 and that’s unlikely to change this season, but that also doesn’t mean he can’t provide a reliable pass catcher here and there for a Raiders team searching for some help.