DeSean Jackson, Eagles likely heading towards a reunion

The Philadelphia Eagles may have a familiar face returning the team this offseason. DeSean Jackson appears poised to return to the team that drafted him.

The Philadelphia Eagles have a clear need for a speedy wide receiver to take the top off a defense. They may very well address that need with a former second-round pick of theirs in 2008.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have yet to officially release Jackson, but reports suggest the team has been shopping the speedster and his $10 million base salary in 2019. It does appear a release is imminent at this point.

Even at 32 years old this past season, Jackson still led the NFL with 18.9 yards per reception. The Eagles have struggled to replace the deep threat after shuffling through the likes of Mike Wallace and Torrey Smith, so the mutual interest in a reunion comes as no surprise.

Jackson’s departure from Philadelphia in 2014 was controversial to say the least. Former Eagles coach, Chip Kelly, jettisoned the receiver after a career-year due to culture shakeup. Now the former Eagles’ receiver wants to return to the team he called home for his first six seasons in the NFL.

One huge reason Jackson may ultimately want to return to Philadelphia to end his career — Carson Wentz. The 11-year veteran raved about Wentz after his rookie year in 2016 and praised the organization for making the call to give him a shot.

“[Wentz] didn’t have no choice but to step up and be that guy, but that was a gutsy call for the organization, already believing in a young guy like that,” Jackson told The Philadelphia Inquirer during the 2017 offseason. “I think he killed it. He did lights out. He had a heck of a year. So definitely, he showed me he can do it, and he has all the intangibles of being a big-time quarterback in this league.”

After reading those quotes, it’s easy to see why Jackson has much interest in returning to Philadelphia and potentially finishing his career with the Eagles.