Philadelphia Eagles: Saying goodbye to the DeSean Jackson-era

After two stints, eight seasons, and more than 8,000 all-purpose yards, DeSean Jackson‘s career with the Philadelphia Eagles officially appears to be over following his release from the team on Friday afternoon.

Now sure, could the Eagles conceivably bring back DJax for a third stint down the line? I mean, I guess anything is possible, but at 34-years-old and counting, I kind of doubt it.

No, with only so many years left in his NFL football playing career – and even fewer still as one of the best deep threats in the league – Jackson is surely going to latch on with a contender to finish out his NFL career, likely with either his fellow Berkeley Golden Bear in Green Bay or with his hometown Los Angeles Rams.

But no matter where Jackson finishes out his career, it’s unquestionable that the 5-foot-10 speedster from Long Beach will forever be remembered as an Eagle.

Thinking back on DeSean Jackson’s time with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Whether you love DeSean Jackson, loathe DeSean Jackson, or fall somewhere in the middle, you have to admit he holds a place of particular note in the annals of Philadelphia Eagles history.

Initially drafted with the 49th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft after a successful career hauling in deep balls at Cal alongside future pros like Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett, Jackson found near-immediate success with the Eagles as a do-it-all receiver/return man.

He made his first Pro Bowl in 2009 as a punt returner, led the league in yards per catch in 2010, and instantly became a fan favorite for his speedy game and smaller stature.

Jackson’s glory days will forever be encapsulated in the 2012 David O. Russell movie Silver Linings Playbook, where Bradley Cooper’s character Pat Solitano Jr. wears a number 10 jersey to pay homage to “the man.”

Fun fact: In the book version of The Silver Linings Playbook, which came out in 2008, Pat wears a Hank Baskett jersey. I know Jackson hadn’t technically been drafted by the Eagles yet when the book was being read, but it’s safe to say Russell and company made the right call swapping out an underwhelming UDFA for a Philly all-timer.

Though Jackson was eventually run out of town under dubious circumstances by Chip Kelly – a move that would haunt him twice a year for his final two seasons with the Eagles – there was a small but vocal segment of the fanbase who wanted nothing more than to get the speedy deep threat back in an Eagles jersey to finally add a deep threat element to the offense that was never quite filled in his absence.

As it turns out, those fans’ prayers would be answered in the spring of 2019, when Howie Roseman traded a sixth-round compensatory pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his services.

Was Jackson’s return perfect?

No. If this truly is the final chapter of Jackson’s career in Philadelphia, it is anything but one worthy of a storybook, but at times, the aging burner looked every bit the part of his Pro Bowl past.

In eight games spread out over two seasons, Jackson amassed 395 yards on 23 catches and two touchdowns. He racked up 154 yards and two touchdowns in his first game back in Philly, had a six-catch game versus his hometown Los Angeles Rams, and even had an 81-yard touchdown versus Dallas in what ultimately may go down as his final game in a midnight green uniform.

If that’s the last we get to see of DeSean Jackson in South Philly, at least he went out with a vintage catch.

dark. Next. Kyle Pitts just screams “Howie Roseman guy”

So DeSean Jackson, if this really is the end of your run with the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s been one heck of a ride. Enjoy wherever your football journey takes you next, and remember, you’ll always have a home in South Philly; in a way, your exit markets the end of one of the most successful eras in Eagles history.

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