Turns out Fred Jackson isn’t going to be without a job for long. Cut by the Buffalo Bills, he has already met with the Seattle Seahawks, while the Baltimore Ravens are hoping he gives them a chance as well.
Jackson is 34, but is considered as a great, positive influence in the locker room. The Bills released him after he spent eight seasons with the team and most thought he’d retire in Buffalo, but from Jackson’s words and the rumors coming out from Bills HQ, general manager Doug Whaley made the decision almost on his own to cut Jackson, for financial and maybe personal reasons.
The Seahawks have a #1 running back who is unmovable: Marshawn Lynch. Behind him are Robert Turbin, a very reliable backup and Christine Michael, a little bit inconsistent but talented. But Turbin has a high ankle injury, which makes the Seahawks turning to Jackson a little bit more understandable.
The Ravens like signing veterans, especially when they don’t count against the team in the NFL’s compensatory pick equation. Justin Forsett is the team’s #1 guy followed by Lorenzo Taliaferro, but there’s nothing else worth mentioning behind him, giving Jackson a good spot to land in.
An eight-year veteran, Jackson ran for 525 yards and a couple of touchdowns (3.7 yards per carry). He also caught a career high 66 passes for 501 yards and a touchdown, and is certainly capable of helping on third or passing downs besides his backup role he’ll have on either team.