DeSean Jackson announces retirement as an Eagle

One of the most exciting players in NFL history is returning to Philadelphia to call it a career.

DeSean Jackson will officially retire as an Eagle on Friday. He announced his retirement Wednesday after 15 seasons, three Pro Bowls, and more 60-yard touchdowns than anybody in NFL history.

The Eagles will honor Jackson at their game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. He will serve as honorary captain.

“DeSean Jackson was a dynamic playmaker who captivated Eagles fans with his game-breaking speed, unique skill set, and explosive play,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “What made DeSean truly stand out during his accomplished 15-year career was his ability to make miraculous plays look routine. 

“We all remember him scooping up the football in New York on that fateful evening in December, 2010, and veering his way into the end zone for what is now famously referred to as the ‘Miracle at the New Meadowlands.’ We are thrilled to welcome DeSean back and look forward to celebrating his official retirement as an Eagle on Sunday when he serves as our Honorary Captain of the Game.”

Jackson spent eight years in two stints with the Eagles and caught 641 passes for 11,263 yards and 58 touchdowns receiving and added four punt return TDs and four more rushing.

In Eagles history, Jackson’s 6,512 yards trail only Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael and Pete Retzlaff. His 379 catches are sixth-most, and his 35 touchdown catches are ninth-most. His 26 career touchdowns of 60 yards or more are the most in NFL history, his 210 yards in Dallas in 2010 are the third-most in Eagles history and most ever in a road game. Jackson’s eight 150-yard games are more than any other Eagle, his four punt return touchdowns are tied for the franchise record, and finally, his three 1,000-yard seasons are tied for most in Eagles history. Jackson also led the NFL in yards per catch four times for four different teams.

The Eagles picked Jackson with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the 2008 draft. His 106 yards vs. the at-the-time St. Louis Rams in the 2008 opener at Lincoln Financial Field are the most in franchise history by a player in his first game, and with 110 yards a week later in Dallas he became the first player in NFL history with 100 yards in each of his first two games. He also added 364 career postseason receiving yards.

Chip Kelly’s teardown of the Eagles included the release of Jackson after his Pro Bowl season in 2013. He bore two more 1,000-yard campaigns in Washington and then spent two seasons in Tampa. He returned to Philadelphia in 2019 and 2020 but was limited by injuries to eight games. He concluded his career with the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams in 2021 and the Baltimore Ravens last year. His final NFL game was on New Year’s Day in the Ravens’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore.

Jackson is certainly an Eagles legend and an all-time wide receiver in NFL history. Is he a Hall of Famer? I am not totally sure. I am sure, however, that Sunday when he is honored at the Linc will be special for him, the organization, and the nearly 70,000 fans who will be in attendance.