While his Washington Redskins battle for a playoff spot heading into Week 17, wide receiver DeSean Jackson might have his mind on something completely different.
It was reported earlier this season that Jackson was open to a return to the Philadelphia Eagles, who under then head coach Chip Kelly sent him packing following a Pro Bowl 2013 campaign.
Current Eagles defensive end and former Jackson teammate Brandon Graham has now apparently added even more of a concrete basis to this whole idea.
“I talked to him (Jackson) when Doug (Pederson) got hired and he was like, ”Tell coach, come get me.’ That type of stuff,” Graham told TCN Philly. “We have fun during the season. He was like, ‘BG, I’ll be back.’ Just little fun. But now that’s it official — as far as the season about to be over. I think you’ll be hearing a lot of noise about DeSean. It’s an exciting feeling to get an Eagle back.”
NFL rules aside, this is a rather interesting revelation here from Graham. Everyone in their right mind knows why Jackson was released by the Eagles in the first place. There was suspicion of gang affiliation. And while none of this was ever confirmed, Chip Kelly took it upon himself to change the perceived character issues on the roster.
For Jackson, his move to Washington has worked out swimmingly. He put up 1,169 yards and led the NFL in yards per reception with an astounding 20.9 average in 2014. And after an injury-plagued 2015 campaign, Jackson is again on track to pass the 1,000-yard plateau this season.
It makes sense for Philadelphia. The team’s wide receiver group has been a complete disaster for first-year quarterback Carson Wentz. Jackson’s play-making ability would also help the strong-armed young quarterback open up the passing game a great deal.
Jackson is set to become a free agent following the season and isn’t expected to be back in Washington with the surplus of young receivers the team boasts.