Jim Corbett

USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera's playoff team has a glaring wide receiver need and Rivera told USA TODAY Sports Friday he's intrigued by the possibility of pursuing DeSean Jackson following his bombshell release minutes earlier by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jackson is coming off a career-best 82-catch, 1,332-yard, 9-touchdown season.

"We'd be interested. He's an intriguing player and we'll take a look at him,'' Rivera told USA TODAY Sports from the West Coast. "I just got word and this is surprising to hear. He's an explosive player who has great vertical speed and is strong going to the ball."

STUNNER:Eagles release DeSean Jackson

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:Reaction to Jackson's release

The New York Jets also have shown interest in signing the 27-year-old Jackson, though that was before he was released Friday. Michael Vick is now competing for the Jets' starting job, which would be a natural reunion. Marty Mornhinweg, Jackson's former offensive coordinator in Philadelphia, also is with the Jets.

The Panthers are coming off a 12-4 season and are in desperate need of receiving help after losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the postseason with franchise receiving leader Steve Smith, No. 2 receiver Brandon LaFell and speed receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. all departing via free agency.

The Panthers did sign receiver Jerricho Cotchery last week to a two-year, $5-million deal.

Rivera said he and general manager Dave Gettleman will discuss the possibility of pursuing Jackson.

"That is something that has to be discussed,'' Rivera said. "Yeah, we'll have to gauge the direction we can go.''

Salary is an obvious issue for the cap-strapped Panthers who have roughly $5 million in cap space. Jackson was set to earn $10.7 million this season and count $12.5 million against the salary cap in 2014. His release will save the Eagles $6.5 million in cap space.

"It depends on the numbers,'' Rivera said. "You have to negotiate around the numbers. We'll see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next couple of days.''

Jackson had expressed to the media at the end of last season he wanted to re-do the five-year, $51-million contract he signed in 2012.

Eagles coach Chip Kelly didn't deny at Wednesday's league meetings that the Eagles were listening to trade offers for the sixth-year pro and didn't commit to saying that Jackson would be on the roster when the team begins its strength and conditioning program April 21.

Asked directly if Jackson would be on the roster as of April 21, Kelly said, "I don't predict the future. When we get rolling April 21, we get rolling. I anticipate Nick Foles being there for the next 999 years. Last year was 1,000, now we're down by one. When we show up on April 21, I'm going to have our first team meeting and we'll go from there.

"Who's in that room, it's up to them at that point in time.''

Kelly said he spoke with Jackson Monday.

"I talked to DeSean and when you deal with situations like that it's coach to player, player to coach,'' Kelly said. "We had a good conversation. We're always going to do what's best for the football team. But I think he knows where we are. And I know where he is. I like DeSean. He did a really nice job for us.

"He knows where he stands with us. And I know where I stand with him.''