Winston hopes Bucs bring back frustrated Jackson

Despite his desire to leave Tampa, Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston hopes the team holds on to wide receiver DeSean Jackson this offseason.

"He's still one of the best deep-threat targets in the NFL, and I hope he comes back," Winston told NFL Network on Friday, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com.

Winston and Jackson have struggled to develop chemistry through their first two years together. Jackson requested a trade last season, but it wasn't granted. He also complained about his role in the offense, though the Buccaneers changed coaches after the campaign.

Jackson is still believed to be eyeing a new home, and identified the Los Angeles Rams as a preferred landing spot in January. Winston has spoken to the veteran wideout since the end of the season in an attempt to clear the air.

"We talked briefly," Winston said. "And the thing about having a guy like DeSean Jackson; he's passionate, he wants to win. When you have a guy like that, really winning and losing really separates how he's going to react. He wants to be an important part in winning football games and he knows that he is a very important piece to winning football games. So if we were winning, he's a selfless individual and he's fine. But when you're losing and the guy feels like he's not getting taking advantage of, of course he's going to have something to say. That's just his makeup."

Jackson finished his second campaign in Tampa with 41 receptions for 774 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games. He added another touchdown as a rusher.

The 32-year-old is entering the final season of a three-year deal he signed in 2017.