The Philadelphia Eagles are parting with another veteran wide receiver. Days after cutting ties with DeSean Jackson, the Eagles are also planning to release Alshon Jeffery, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The #Eagles will also be releasing Alshon Jeffery when the league year begins, which has been obvious for quite a while. A much younger group for 2021. https://t.co/dxlCwsRBK8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 22, 2021
It made little sense to retain Alshon Jeffery after yet another injury-riddled season.
Alshon Jeffery was on the shelf for the early part of the 2020 campaign due to a Lisfranc injury. He played seven games, finishing with just six receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown.
The 31-year-old's Eagles tenure was tremendously frustrating. Alshon Jeffery signed a one-year deal with Philly in 2017, finishing that season with nine touchdown receptions and also hauling in three touchdown catches during the team's run to the Super Bowl.
The Eagles subsequently handed Alshon Jeffery a four-year extension, and he responded by hauling in 65 catches for 843 yards and six scores in 13 games during the 2018 campaign.
But injuries began to define Alshon Jeffery's time with the Eagles. He was limited to just 10 games in 2019, also posting career-lows in both yards per reception (11.4) and receiving yards per game (49.0). Of course, 2020 might as well have just been a wash altogether.
There had been previous reports suggesting Alshon Jeffery was open to serious contract adjustments.
#Eagles Alshon Jeffery and Malik Jackson have agreed to contract adjustments, per sources, making it necessary to agree on a new deal for 2021 or players will be released at the new league year.
Jeffery is receiving a significant pay cut from his $12.75M salary, per source.— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 4, 2021
Ultimately, however, the Eagles will go in a different direction with Alshon Jeffery.
Philly used its 2020 first-round pick on Jalen Reagor out of TCU, and it is certainly possible the Eagles use the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft to select another young receiver.
Carson Wentz is no longer under center, and Jalen Hurts–or whoever lands the starting role–will need more assets out wide for the offense to make any sort of jump. The Eagles know they have a profound opportunity to host a playoff game each season, given the mediocrity which is pervasive in the NFC East. Yet, Philadelphia tumbled to last place in the division in the 2020 season, underscoring the need for a shakeup which was manifested by the decision to fire Doug Pederson and hire new head coach Nick Sirianni.
Follow Us
Subscribe