The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that the team has agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson on a multi-year contract.
Jackson (5-10, 175) comes to Tampa Bay after spending the past three seasons with the Washington Redskins (2014-16). Prior to his time with Washington, Jackson spent six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (2008-13). In his nine-year career, Jackson has started 123-of-126 regular season games played, catching 498 passes for 8,819 yards and 46 touchdowns.
“It is rare to find a player in free agency with the combination of speed and natural playmaking ability of a DeSean Jackson,” said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. “DeSean is a smart, gifted athlete who has averaged more than 17 yards per reception throughout his nine-year career and brings the type of veteran experience and deep threat receiving ability that will have an immediate impact on our offense.”
A three-time Pro Bowl selection (2009, 2010, 2013) and a 2009 second-team Associated Press All-Pro selection (kick returner), Jackson’s 8,819 receiving yards are the fifth-most since he entered the league in 2008 (Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson). Among players with 100 career games played, Jackson ranks 15th in league annals with a 70.0 receiving yards per game average. A veteran of postseason play, Jackson has also started all seven playoff contests he has played, catching 21 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns.
Known for his big-play ability, Jackson is one of five players since the 1970 merger to account for 26 career touchdowns of 50+ yards, joining Jerry Rice (36), Randy Moss (29), Terrell Owens (26) and Steve Smith (26). Only Rice (23) has more than Jackson’s 22 touchdowns of 60+ yards.
“Desean is exactly the type of dynamic playmaker we have been targeting for our offense,” said Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter. “Desean brings a veteran presence and a big-play mentality that fits in perfectly with our offensive philosophy. He is a tough-minded competitor who has the game-breaking speed and pass-catching ability that stretches the defense and creates matchup problems.”
Since 2008, Jackson’s 112 receptions of 25+ yards, 37 receptions of 50+ yards and 17.7 yards per reception average (min. 60 career catches) all lead the NFL. The 37 catches of 50+ yards are 14 more than any other player during that span, while his five 1,000-yard receiving seasons and 32 100-yard receiving games are each tied for the fifth-most. Additionally, his per catch averages in 2010 (22.5) and 2014 (20.9) rank second and fourth, respectively, among all single seasons over that nine-year period.
Showcasing his versatility, Jackson has also rushed 61 times for 380 yards (6.2 avg.) and three touchdowns and returned 134 punts for 1,289 yards and four touchdowns. In 2010, Jackson became the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year when he was chosen as a wide receiver and a return specialist.
A native of Long Beach, California, Jackson played collegiately at California. He originally entered the league as a second-round pick (49th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2008 NFL Draft.
The Buccaneers also announced today that the team has agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Chris Baker.
“Heading into free agency, Chris was one of our priority targets on the defensive side of the ball,” said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. “He is a big, athletic player who has developed into a disruptive interior lineman over the past three years. He will be a great addition to our defensive line and a solid fit in Mike Smith’s defensive system.”
Baker (6-2, 320) comes to Tampa Bay after spending the past five seasons with the Washington Redskins (2012-16). Prior to his time with Washington, Baker saw time with the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. In his career, Baker has played in 78 regular season games, with 42 starts, totaling 181 tackles (26 for loss), 11.5 sacks, five passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
“Chris has excellent size and what really jumps out at you is his ability to flash dominance at times during games and his explosive quickness,” said Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter. “His versatility will make him a great complementary player alongside Gerald McCoy and Clinton McDonald on our interior defensive line.”
In 2015, Baker earned the Sam Huff Defensive Player of the Year award from the Washington Redskins Alumni Association after posting career highs in sacks (6.0), quarterback hits (17), tackles for loss (10), forced fumbles (three) and fumble recoveries (two).
Per Stats, Inc., Baker has 64.5 combined quarterback knockdowns and hurries over the past two seasons. Dating back to 2015, Baker is one of six NFL players to post 100+ tackles, 9+ sacks, and 5+ forced fumbles, joining Khalil Mack, Von Miller, Carlos Dunlap, Melvin Ingram and Brandon Graham.
A native of Windsor, Connecticut, Baker played collegiately at Hampton. He originally entered the league as a college free agent with the Broncos in 2009.