After a storied 15-year career in the National Football League, Philadelphia Eagles' iconic wide receiver DeSean Jackson has decided to hang up his cleats. The announcement came on Friday at the Eagles’ NovaCare Complex training facility. In his parting words, Jackson took the opportunity to praise his quarterback, Jalen Hurts, affirming his confidence in the young QB's potential and leadership.
Widely recognized as one of the most formidable deep threats in the history of the league, Jackson expressed his belief in Hurts, highlighting his skill set and mental fortitude. Reflecting on their time together, he 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.”
Jackson chose to retire where it all began, signing a ceremonial one-day contract with the franchise that selected him 49th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. During his initial six seasons with the Eagles, he earned three Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro designation.
In his 95 games with the team, Jackson secured his legacy, ranking third in receiving yards (6,512), sixth in receptions (379), and ninth in receiving touchdowns (35). As a punt returner, he recorded the second-most punt returns (132) and the third-highest punt return yards (1,296) for the Eagles. His four punt return touchdowns—a record he shares with former teammate Darren Sproles—cemented his status as an all-time great in Philadelphia.
The Eagles will honor Jackson's contributions by naming him an honorary captain at Sunday's game at Lincoln Financial Field.
A Special Connection with Hurts
Jackson's bond with Hurts was forged during his second tenure with the Eagles from 2019 to 2020. Their connection was highlighted by an 81-yard touchdown pass from Hurts in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys, marking Jackson's final reception for the franchise. This standout play came amidst a tumultuous 2020 season under head coach Doug Pederson, which would also be his last with the Eagles.
At the time, Hurts was the rookie backup to Carson Wentz, whose performance had begun to falter. Jackson recalled advocating for Hurts even then, 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 made the effort to train with Jackson, traveling to Tampa, Florida, to do so. Jackson reminisced about the offseason of 2020, revealing that there were questions 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 said. “We trained for like a whole week. We were able to build. I had just seen that his mentality was different then.”
Jackson lauded Hurts for his mature mindset, comparing his approach to that of "an uncle or an old father." He praised Hurts for his calm and composed nature, which led Jackson to believe that Hurts was destined for greatness.
Carson Wentz's decline, exacerbated by a hefty $128 million extension and the franchise tag, eventually led to his benching and subsequent trade to the Indianapolis Colts. This shift paved the way for Hurts to step into the limelight as the Eagles' starting quarterback.
Looking at the present day, Hurts has risen to become one of the NFL’s standout players. With 27 victories in his last 29 starts, including an impressive streak of 14 consecutive wins against teams with winning records—the longest since at least 1950—he has proven his worth as a leader and a winner.
Hurts’ ascent is a testament to his hard work and the faith instilled in him by teammates like Jackson. As Jackson steps away from the gridiron, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence and a vote of confidence in the future of the Eagles with Hurts at the helm.