Philadelphia Eagles' iconic wide receiver DeSean Jackson has announced his retirement, closing the chapter on a remarkable 15-year tenure in the NFL. The announcement came from the team's training facility at NovaCare Complex, where Jackson took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on quarterback Jalen Hurts' burgeoning talent.
Jackson, who is celebrated as one of the most formidable deep threats in the history of the league, offered high praise for Hurts, commending his skillset and mindset. Reflecting on their time together, Jackson said, "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."
In a ceremonial gesture, Jackson signed a one-day contract to retire as an Eagle, the team that selected him 49th overall in the 2008 draft. During his initial six seasons with the Eagles, Jackson earned three Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro honor. His career statistics with the team are impressive; he ranks third in receiving yards (6,512), sixth in receptions (379), and ninth in receiving touchdowns (35). As a punt returner, he also made his mark, holding the second spot in punt returns (132) and third in punt return yards (1,296). Notably, Jackson shares the franchise record for punt return touchdowns with Darren Sproles, both having four.
The Eagles will honor Jackson as an honorary captain at Sunday's game at Lincoln Financial Field, celebrating his contributions to the team.
A Special Connection with Hurts
Jackson's bond with Hurts was forged during his second stint with the Eagles between 2019 and 2020. A standout moment of this partnership was Jackson's final reception for the Eagles—an 81-yard touchdown pass from Hurts during a Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. This highlight occurred in a tumultuous 2020 season, which marked the end of Doug Pederson's tenure as head coach in Philadelphia and coincided with Hurts stepping up as a starter over the struggling Carson Wentz.
Jackson recalled advocating for Hurts even when Wentz was the starting quarterback, saying, "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, who trained with Jackson in Florida during the 2020 offseason, displayed a level of maturity that impressed Jackson. "It was actually, he made it convenient because I trained in Tampa and he came out there and trained with me," Jackson recounted. "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 native, as possessing the mature mindset of "an uncle or an old father," and approached every game with composure, leading Jackson to believe in his special potential.
While Hurts' rise was initially overshadowed by the franchise tag and $128 million extension given to Wentz, Wentz's performance decline towards the end of the 2020 season led to his benching. This created a rift that culminated in Wentz forcing a trade to the Indianapolis Colts, thereby paving the way for Hurts to step into the limelight.
As of 2023, Hurts has established himself as a leading figure in the NFL, boasting victories in 27 of his last 29 starts, including a run of 16 wins out of 17 games and a historic streak of 14 consecutive wins against teams with winning records—the longest such streak since at least 1950.
With Jackson's endorsement and Hurts' rising star power, the legacy of the Philadelphia Eagles seems to be in promising hands. Jackson's retirement marks the end of an era, but also serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of mentorship and growth in the NFL, as witnessed in the rapport between a seasoned veteran and a rising quarterback.