Philadelphia Eagles' iconic wide receiver DeSean Jackson has hung up his cleats after a storied 15-year career in the NFL. The announcement came on Friday at the Eagles' NovaCare Complex, where Jackson took the opportunity to sing praises of quarterback Jalen Hurts and his potential for greatness.
Regarded as one of the most formidable deep threats the league has ever seen, Jackson expressed unwavering confidence in Hurts. "I definitely saw Jalen Hurts before what the world sees now," Jackson stated. "I feel like he's just starting. I feel like he's going to be here for a long time. He's going to have some special moments in Philadelphia."
Jackson, who made the decision to retire as an Eagle, signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the franchise that selected him 49th overall in the 2008 draft. During his initial six-season tenure with the Eagles, Jackson earned three Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro honor.
In his 95 games with the team, Jackson is ranked third in receiving yards (6,512), sixth in receptions (379), and ninth in receiving touchdowns (35). His prowess was not limited to receiving; as a punt returner, he ranks second in punt returns (132) and third in punt return yards (1,296) for the Eagles. Notably, he shares the franchise record for punt return touchdowns (four) with former running back and return specialist Darren Sproles.
The Eagles will honor Jackson as an honorary captain at Sunday's game at Lincoln Financial Field, celebrating his remarkable career and contributions to the team.
A Special Bond with Hurts
The connection between Jackson and Hurts was forged during Jackson's second stint with the Eagles from 2019 to 2020. A highlight of this partnership was Jackson's final catch for the franchise—an 81-yard touchdown pass from Hurts in a Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys during the tumultuous 2020 season, which would be Doug Pederson's last as Philadelphia's head coach.
"I think I was lobbying for Jalen Hurts back when we had Carson Wentz starting at that time," Jackson recalled. "Everybody was like, 'Why would we pick Jalen Hurts in the second round?'"
Hurts, showing initiative, chose to train with Jackson in Florida. Jackson reminisced about the 2020 offseason, revealing that there were questions raised about why Hurts was training with him instead of Wentz. "It was actually, he made it convenient because I trained in Tampa and he came out there and trained with me," Jackson said. "We trained for like a whole week. We were able to build. I had just seen that his mentality was different then."
Jackson described Hurts, an Alabama product, as having a mature mindset, comparing it to "an uncle or an old father." He noted Hurts' composure and approach to the game, saying, "there’s something special about him."
At the time, Hurts' ascent was impeded by Wentz's franchise tag and subsequent $128 million extension. However, Wentz's underperformance towards the end of the 2020 season led to his benching and strained relationship with the franchise, ultimately resulting in his trade to the Indianapolis Colts. This paved the way for Hurts to step into the limelight.
Fast-forward to 2023, and Jalen Hurts has emerged as one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks. With a record of securing victories in 27 of his past 29 starts, including triumphs in 16 of the last 17 games and an unprecedented streak of 14 consecutive wins over teams with winning records—a feat unmatched since at least 1950—Hurts has proven himself as a leader and a winner on the field.
DeSean Jackson's retirement turns a page in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles, but his endorsement of Jalen Hurts underscores the bright future that lies ahead for the team. As Jackson steps away from the gridiron, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence and a belief in the promise of new Eagles legends to rise.