Philadelphia Eagles' celebrated wide receiver DeSean Jackson has hung up his cleats, concluding a storied 15-year tenure in the NFL. At the NovaCare Complex, the Eagles' training facility, Jackson made his retirement official but not before taking a moment to sing praises of quarterback Jalen Hurts and his promising future.
Jackson, who is revered as one of the most formidable deep threats the league has ever seen, expressed confidence in Hurts's abilities, highlighting the young quarterback's skill and mindset. Reflecting on their time together, Jackson shared, “I definitely saw Jalen Hurts before what the world sees now. 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.”
Opting to retire with the franchise that selected him 49th overall in the 2008 draft, Jackson signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Eagles. His initial run with the team spanned six seasons, during which he garnered three Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro honor.
In his 95 games wearing Eagles green, Jackson etched his name third in the franchise's record books with 6,512 receiving yards, sixth in receptions at 379, and ninth in touchdown catches with 35. As a punt returner, he stands second with 132 returns and third in punt return yards totaling 1,296. Jackson's four punt return touchdowns, a record he shares with Darren Sproles, are the most by any Eagle.
The Eagles will honor Jackson's illustrious career by naming him an honorary captain for Sunday's game at Lincoln Financial Field.
A Bond Forged Through Adversity
Jackson and Hurts formed a notable bond during Jackson's second stint with the Eagles in the 2019-2020 seasons. Their connection was cemented when Hurts connected with Jackson for an 81-yard touchdown pass against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16—a highlight reel-worthy play during an otherwise tumultuous 2020 season.
The touchdown, which would become Jackson's final reception for the Eagles, came during Doug Pederson's last year as head coach and amid Carson Wentz's struggles as the starting quarterback. Recalling those days, Jackson said, “I think I was lobbying for Jalen Hurts back when we had Carson Wentz starting at that time. Everybody was like, ‘Why would we pick Jalen Hurts in the second round?’”
Hurts, determined to make his mark, chose to train with Jackson in Florida during the 2020 offseason. Jackson recounted how questions arose 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 explained. “We trained for like a whole week. We were able to build. I had just seen that his mentality was different then.”
Describing Hurts's maturity, Jackson likened his mindset to that of "an uncle or an old father." The composed approach Hurts brought to every game convinced Jackson of his unique potential: “There’s something special about him.”
While Wentz's tenure with the Eagles ended after a franchise tag and a $128 million extension failed to deliver expected results, leading to his benching and subsequent trade to the Indianapolis Colts, it was Hurts who seized the opportunity to lead.
Now, looking at Hurts's journey since then, he has risen to become one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks. With 27 victories in his last 29 starts, including a stretch of 16 wins in 17 games and an unparalleled streak of 14 consecutive victories against teams holding winning records, Hurts's performance is a testament to his hard work and Jackson's early faith in him. This winning streak is unmatched since at least 1950, marking Hurts as a standout athlete in today's competitive league.
As Jackson steps away from the gridiron, his legacy with the Eagles is immortalized not only through his own achievements but also through the bright future he foresees for Jalen Hurts—a future that, if recent history is any indication, is poised to be as electrifying as Jackson's own career.