The dust of franchise quarterback Carson Wentz’s trade did not even begin to settle before the Philadelphia Eagles decided to make their next roster move.
Earlier today, John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported that the Eagles released wide receiver DeSean Jackson — one of the league’s premier players.
The Philadelphia Eagles have since confirmed this.
TAKING A LOOK BACK
DeSean Jackson began his career with the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Under head coach Andy Reid, he was the first rookie to start opening day and crushed his first NFL season. Jackson totaled 912 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns, and a team-leading 62 receptions. He also led the NFL with 50 punt returns for 440 yards.
The following year, Jackson ended the season as the Eagles’ leading receiver totaling 1,167 yards. He was selected to the Pro Bowl as a starting wide receiver and a kick returner. It was the first time in Pro Bowl history that a player was chosen for two different positions.
2010 and 2011 were no different. As the leading receiver on the team, Jackson finished 2010 with 1,056 yards and 2011 with 961 yards. He received the Eagles’ franchise tag in 2012. The Eagles re-signed him to a five-year $51 million contract.
The 2013 season will statistically go down as the best season of Jackson’s NFL career. He finished with 82 receptions for 1,332 yards, nine touchdowns, and played in his third Pro Bowl. Although he proved much success for Philadelphia, the Eagles released Jackson from the team in 2014.
He later signed with the former Washington Redskins (now Football Team) from 2014-2016, followed up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2017-2018.
GOING OUT WITH A BANG
In 2019, DeSean Jackson returned to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he returned ready to play. He scored two touchdowns during Week 1, resulting in 31 career touchdowns over 50 yards — 2nd in NFL history, surpassing Randy Moss.
In the weeks to come, injuries would be the demise of Jackson’s second stint with the Eagles. Between 2019 and 2020, he underwent core-muscle surgery, suffered a hamstring injury, and later a lower-body injury. In both seasons with Philadelphia, he played only eight total games.
Jackson was able to return and play in Week 16. He caught an 81-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts, contributing to 25 career touchdowns of 60-plus yards — the most in NFL history.
FOREVER AN EAGLE AT HEART
As the 2020 season came to a close for Philadelphia, teammates and fans knew that significant changes were bound to happen in the offseason. With a 4-11-1 record, the Eagles now want to focus on a more youthful team. Not to mention, they are currently $52 million over the salary cap.
DeSean Jackson’s release now creates about $4.8 million in cap space.
The 34-year-old wide receiver took to his Instagram page stating that he is looking forward to his next chapter while showing love for the city that not only gave him one chance, but two.
His social media posts also suggest that he plans to continue his NFL career.
