One of the greatest deep threats in NFL history may be ready to retire. In an Instagram post on Sunday morning, free agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson wrote, “Did it my way 15 years strong!! Neva anotha like it!” (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). He has not yet officially announced his retirement, though the tone of his post suggests that such an announcement could be forthcoming.
Jackson, 36, flirted with retirement last year, but he ultimately signed with the receiver-needy Ravens in October and appeared in seven games with the club. Though he played sparingly, his 17.0 yards-per-catch rate showed that he was still capable of burning defenses deep on occasion.
Of course, Jackson is best known for his time as a member of the Eagles, with whom he spent the first six years of his career after entering the league as a second-round draft pick in 2008. During that time, he earned all three of his Pro Bowl nods and established himself as a premier home run hitter, averaging roughly 60 catches and 1,020 yards per season (good for a 17.2 YPC rate). He also excelled as a punt returner over his first three professional seasons, taking back four punt returns for touchdowns and leading the league with a 15.2 yards-per-return average in 2009.
The Cal product made an intra-divisional move to Washington in 2014, which set up a three-year stint in the nation’s capital. He remained a full-time starter during that span, but it preceded a series of moves around the NFL to close out his career. Jackson’s last stint in a starter’s role (in terms of snap share) came during his Buccaneers campaigns in 2017 and 2018.
Jackson was traded back to Philadelphia in 2019, but he only played eight games across two years during that span. Injuries helped inform the Eagles’ decision to release him in 2021, a move which saw him continue to bounce around the NFL. The Long Beach, California native began the season with the Rams, but upon having his request for a release granted, finished the campaign with the Raiders. His brief stay with the Ravens followed, but that will apparently not lead to another audition in the fall.
Jackson will hang up his cleats sitting 37th in NFL history with 11,263 yards and 39th in yards per reception average (17.6). Only two active wideouts—Julio Jones and DeAndre Hopkins—have more yards than him, and few members of the current generation of players can contend with his abilities as a deep threat during his prime. Now, Jackson will turn his attention to his post-playing days.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder received more than $91M in earnings over the course of his career, including four contracts worth at least $24M at the time of signing. He will exit the NFL with 64 total touchdowns (regular and postseason combined) and, having temporarily been a member of the Rams’ title-winning 2021 team, a Super Bowl ring.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
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