If there is one day to have in the "when will Vincent Jackson be traded?" office pool, Saturday is it.
That isn't to say a deal is imminent; the day could pass just as quietly as it came. But as the Chargers cut their roster from 75 to 53, a trade involving their Pro Bowl wide receiver could end up being the headline of the day.
The reason for trade speculation is a deadline that will pass Saturday at 3 p.m. If Jackson, as a member of the roster exempt list, does not report to his team by that time, he will be required to sit out three games once he does report.
With Jackson already suspended by the league three games for his second DUI arrest, any team that trades for Jackson after the 3 p.m. deadline would be without its new prized receiver for six games instead of three. That incentive, at the very least, makes a possible trade worth monitoring over the course of Saturday morning and early afternoon.
Of all teams, the Seattle Seahawks have been most rumored as a possible trade partner. They are also reportedly shopping their top wide receiver, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, whose $7 million contract could prove difficult to move.
If the Seahawks can deal Houshmandzadeh, that would seem to put them in better position to acquire and sign Jackson, but at this point, that scenario is a leap.
For certain, the Chargers appear ready to move on without Jackson. They'll enter the season with Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, Buster Davis and recent acquisition Patrick Crayton heading their wide receiver corps.
UPDATE: The 3 p.m. deadline came and went, and Jackson was not traded. He will miss at least six games this season should he play at all. Earlier today, the Rams reportedly had internal discussions about swinging a deal for Jackson, but "apparently have decided against it."
