Vincent Jackson’s contract demands preventing a trade?

By the end of last week, things seemed to be progressing in talks regarding a trade for Vincent Jackson. The Chargers even let Jackson negotiate a new deal with the Seahawk’s to try to get the ball rolling on a trade between the two teams. Now it seems that things have encountered a set back. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Jacksons contract demands are higher than teams like Seattle and Minnesota would be willing to pay, not to mentioned that he could face a suspension of 3 – 6 games this season. Jackson is supposedly asking for $50 million over five years, with $30 million guaranteed.

This situation is turning out to be one of the strangest circumstances I’ve seen play out in recent memory. You have an all-pro receiver who is in his prime and looking for a long-term contract extension (not that uncommon) but is facing a suspension and happens to be on a team that is unwilling to make him an offer. Now his contract demands are to high for other teams liking which leaves only two options. One, he sits out until week 8 so that he can qualify for a season played, or two, he lowers his demands so that a deal can be reached between the Chargers and a potential suitor. Jackson seems to be losing leverage as this situation plays out so it may be in his best interest to try to get a deal done with another team and move on so that he can get on the field this season. An NFL players career typically has a very short life span and a situation such as this could trigger a downward spiral for Jackson.