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The Philadelphia Eagles have been busy. They let Nick Foles walk and he is signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Michael Bennett was traded from Philly to New England. Malik Jackson will not be a big piece on the Eagles' defensive line. The biggest news of all came earlier on Monday when the Eagles brought DeSean Jackson back to where he started his career.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to trade Jackson to Philly along with a 2020 seventh-round pick for a 2019 sixth-round pick. Jackson spent the first six seasons of his career in Philadelphia before heading to Washington. He spent the last two seasons playing in Tampa Bay.
Philadelphia fans have fond memories of Jackson running go routes past corners and ending up in the end zone. He did the same thing as a member of the Redskins against Philly for three seasons.
Jackson is not the explosive player that he once was when he burst onto the scene out of Cal. However, he still has something left in the tank.
The obvious question for the Eagles remains, what can they expect from the 32-year-old receiver?
Still Something Left in the Tank
Jackson is not 22 anymore. He is not the receiver that ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He is currently 32, however the Eagles should be looking forward to this reunion. Jackson was never a possession receiver. The most receptions he has had in a season is 82. Aside from that one season, Jackson has never eclipsed 62 catches. Despite his lack of receptions, Jackson has been a 1,000-yard receiver six times.
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Jackson is the best deep-ball threat of this generation. He has averaged over 15 yards per reception nine times in his 11-year career. Last season, he played 12 games in Tampa Bay, and finished with 41 catches for 774 yards. That came out to 18.9 yards per reception. As a member of the Buccaneers, Jackson scored his 23rd career touchdown of 60 or more yards. That is the most in NFL history.
The Eagles now have Jackson to add to Alshon Jeffrey. Carson Wentz will be returning as the healthy starting quarterback. He now has a new deep ball threat that he can get used to.
Passion, Excitement, Open Arms
During his time in D.C., Jackson played five games against the Eagles. In those games, he had three over 100 yards, and scored an 80-yard touchdown. The image of him dancing on the bench after the Redskins clinched the NFC East title in 2015 is one that will live forever. With that being said, there will be no hard feelings between the Eagles and Jackson.
The speedster was excited to hear about his return to Philadelphia. Eagles' fans remember the good times like Jackson and Vick leading the Eagles past the Giants in the Miracle at the Meadowlands II. Jackson capped it off with a 65-yard punt return as time expired. Jackson spent six exciting seasons in Philly to start his career, and the Eagles will certainly welcome him back with joy.
Jackson basically wasted the last two seasons as part of a bad Tampa Bay franchise. He will go from that to a Philadelphia team that is ready to contend. For Jackson and the Eagles, this was the best case scenario. There will be a special feel in Lincoln Financial when Jackson makes his return as an Eagle.
