Philadelphia Eagles' iconic wide receiver DeSean Jackson has hung up his cleats after an illustrious 15-year career in the NFL. The announcement came from the NovaCare Complex, the Eagles' training facility, where Jackson took a moment to shine a spotlight on quarterback Jalen Hurts, praising his skill and leadership abilities.
Jackson, who is widely considered one of the most formidable deep threats the league has ever seen, did not hold back in expressing his confidence in Hurts. "I definitely saw Jalen Hurts before what the world sees now," Jackson remarked. He predicted a bright future for the young quarterback, stating, "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."
In a ceremonial gesture marking the end of his career, Jackson signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Eagles, the team that originally drafted him 49th overall in 2008. His first tenure with the Eagles spanned six seasons, during which he earned three Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro designation.
Throughout his 95 games with the franchise, Jackson left a lasting mark, ranking 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 holds the second spot in punt returns (132) and third in punt return yards (1,296). Moreover, Jackson shares the record for most punt return touchdowns in team history with former running back and return specialist Darren Sproles, each scoring four.
The Eagles will honor Jackson's contributions by naming him an honorary captain at their upcoming game at Lincoln Financial Field this Sunday.
A Special Connection with Hurts
Jackson's bond with Hurts was cemented during his second stint with the Eagles in the 2019-2020 season. His final catch for the team—an 81-yard touchdown pass from Hurts in a Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys—served as a fitting capstone to his storied success. This highlight came during a tumultuous 2020 season, which ultimately became Doug Pederson's last as the Eagles' head coach, and coincided with Hurts stepping up as a cost-effective alternative to the struggling starter Carson Wentz.
Jackson recalled advocating for Hurts even when Wentz was the starting quarterback. "Everybody was like, 'Why would we pick Jalen Hurts in the second round?'" he said. Despite the skepticism, it was Hurts who made the effort to train with Jackson in Tampa, Florida, during the 2020 offseason. "We trained for like a whole week. We were able to build. I had just seen that his mentality was different then," Jackson shared.
He described Hurts, an Alabama product, as having a mature mindset, comparing it to "an uncle or an old father." Jackson admired Hurts' composed approach to every game, which convinced him there was something unique about the quarterback.
At the time, a significant obstacle to Hurts' ascension was the hefty franchise tag and $128 million extension awarded to Wentz. However, Wentz's performance took a nosedive by the end of the 2020 season, leading to his benching. This created a rift, prompting Wentz to push for a move to the Indianapolis Colts and clearing the path for Hurts to take the reins.
Looking ahead to 2023, Jalen Hurts has emerged as one of the NFL's standout talents. With a record of 27 wins in his last 29 starts, including a remarkable 16 out of 17 victories and a historic run of 14 consecutive wins against teams with winning records—the longest streak since at least 1950—Hurts has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with.
As Jackson steps away from the gridiron, his endorsement of Hurts seems more than just parting words; it's a testament to the promising trajectory of the Eagles' quarterback, whose potential to create his own legacy in Philadelphia is just beginning to unfold.