Philadelphia Eagles: Using DeSean Jackson as a return man is a miraculous idea

With the Darren Sproles-era of Philadelphia Eagles’ football now over, the decision to use DeSean Jackson as a punt returner is a miraculous idea.

If DeSean Jackson is known for one thing in the NFL, it’s for being arguably the best deep threat wide receiver of this generation. However, while Jackson has made three Pro Bowl appearances since entering the league as the Philadelphia Eagles‘ second-round pick in 2008, he was actually voted into the event four times; becoming the first player in NFL history to be named a starting wide receiver and return man in the same Pro Bowl.

And for a good reason.

I mean how many other players have a play named after their accomplishments like the Miracle at the Meadowland? Well, technically Herm Edwards has his own Miracle at the Meadowlands, and so does Brian Westbrook, but of the three (or four) Miracles at the Meadowland, none was more jaw-droppingly exciting than when Jackson pulled off the best walk-off punt returns in NFL history.

While that play alone automatically inserts Jackson into the conversation as the best return men in Eagles history, the speedster’s sheer prowess as an offensive weapon swiftly weened his time on special teams down with each passing season, going from 50 returns as a rookie, to 29 as a sophomore, to 52 combined returns over his final four seasons in midnight green.

But if recent reports from camp are of any indication, it looks like DeSean Jackson: Punt Returner could be making his triumphant return to South Philly.

Now Jackson probably won’t be the team’s sole return man for the regular season, and likely won’t be returning, say a second-quarter Week 5 punt in a 0-0 game, but having essentially Philly’s GOAT punt returner back for situational football could be an invaluable asset on a team with serious playoff aspirations.

Who knows, maybe Jackson could win Philly another fourth-quarter contest, and be the difference between a Wildcard berth and winning the hotly contested NFC East outright. With 12 of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 16 regular season games decided by seven points or less in 2018, supplementing a less than prolific return unit with arguably the best return man in franchise history has to be considered a major win, even if he’s only used situationally.

Is this the season DeSean Jackson finally return to his Pro Bowl former as a 1,000-yard wide receiver now paired up with Carson Wentz at quarterback? Only time will tell, but with two more seasons under contract, fans in Philly may have a front row seat to the first ever Miracle at the MetLife- a fitting bookend to a near Hall of Fame career.