DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players' Association, said on Friday that the union will look into the circumstances surrounding DeSean Jackson's release by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles' decision to cut ties with one of the most electrifying players in club history last week came after the team uncovered information about Jackson's off-field connections and activities, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Shortly before Jackson's release from the Eagles, NJ.com published a story discussing Jackson's alleged gang connections. Jackson refuted that report.

Smith said the NFLPA will examine whether the Eagles leaked comments or misinformation to the media about Jackson, who signed a three-year contract with the Redskins on Wednesday. That deal is worth $24 million, including $16 million guaranteed, according to league sources.

"That's something that we're going to look at," Smith said on ESPN's "Mike & Mike" show. "We've always been aggressive about protecting the integrity of our players, especially where we believe or think that a team may have done something that is impermissible, and that's something that we're gonna look at."

The Eagles issued a statement saying they decided to release Jackson "after careful consideration." The team has withheld further comment.