The market is getting crowded at wide receiver for the upcoming NFL Free Agency period. That's good news for the Kansas City Chiefs who are dealing with their own impact wideout who could possibly hit the market in Dwayne Bowe. Already Marques Colston and Reggie Wayne are among those available, among others, but now the market will meet its best receiver available yet in Vincent Jackson. That's because Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune rreports that the Chargers are likely going to release him:
Due to circumstances that include a free agent class of wide receivers that one team insider termed "extremely deep," there is little chance the Chargers will follow their Weddle blueprint in dealing with Vincent Jackson. Conversely, the Chargers will almost certainly allow Jackson to hit the free agent market next month, and there is expected to be a line of teams ready to deal with him.
Jackson was asking for $10 million a year more than a year ago. That price is likely too steep for the Chargers even now, but that price is moot since it has gone up. The Chargers moving on from Jackson has nothing to do with them not thinking he is an elite receiver and everything to do with them believing the extensive market will allow them to replenish with a less-expensive option (or options).
If the Chiefs lose Bowe, then Jackson provides another option on the market, although that's a reach to believe the Chiefs could swap receivers like that when they just drafted Jon Baldwin as well. If Bowe walks, it's likely they let him walk and perhaps draft another receiver.
However for now, this might help drive down the price for Bowe just a bit as teams have other options to consider. The Chiefs need to stick with the man they know so well and Bowe will continue to be the impact receiver he's been for them for the last four seasons. It's too good of a marriage not to work out, but weirder things have happened in the NFL.