Former Steelers LB considered becoming a plumber before latest contract

Myles Jack was considering a career change after he was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this offseason.

Some NFL players never know when they are going to receive a phone call from a team with an opportunity to continue playing in the league. So, other career options would have to be on the table. One of the biggest linebacker prospects to come out of college was considering life after football rather recently.

Myles Jack, a former UCLA prospect, was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this offseason, after spending just one year with the team. After that, Jack said, via The Athletic’s Zach Berman, he was considering entering trade school to become either an electrician or a plumber. But on Aug. 6, he was given a chance by the Philadelphia Eagles and immediately began taking first-team reps in training camp.

Myles Jack considered entering trade school before opportunity with Eagles

As for why Jack considered entering trade school, the linebacker said that while he made a lot of money in his young NFL career, he’s not the kind to sit at home. He wanted to work, and said that he likes to be “innovative.”

Jack entered the NFL as a second-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, as his draft stock took a hit after a knee injury suffered early on in the 2015 season. Jack did impress in the Jacksonville defense, one that was loaded and nearly led the team to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance in the 2017 season. The Jaguars would sign Jack to a four-year, $57 million contract that began in the 2019 campaign. However, after the 2021 season, the Jaguars released Jack.

In his six years with the Jaguars, Jack recorded 513 combined tackles (335 solo, 178 assisted), 19 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits, 15 passes defended, 6.5 sacks, and three interceptions.

Last offseason, Jack signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Steelers. In his lone season with the team, Jack recorded 104 combined tackles (61 solo, 33 assisted), three defended passes, and three quarterback hits in 15 games played.

Now, Jack is in Philadelphia, looking to earn a spot on the Eagles’ roster that needed some depth at the linebacker position. The Eagles will play in their first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens this Saturday.