Alshon Jeffery and the Good Ol’ Days
Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery has been in the news for all the wrong reasons as of late.
A recent report indicated that the Philadelphia Eagles are “looking to move” Alshon Jeffery and that Jeffery himself would “welcome a change of scenery”, via the Athletic.
Rumors circulated in 2019 of an anonymous source confiding to Josina Anderson of ESPN, criticizing Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense during the team’s mid-season slump. Although the sources were never confirmed, many Philadelphia reporters assume the anonymous source to have been Jeffery even after Anderson denied the reports herself as well.
Regardless of what the Eagles decide to do with Jeffery, he did make big plays over his three years with the team. Despite an inconsistent and injury-riddled career with the Birds, Jeffery still racked up 2,122 yards and 19 TD’s in 39 games.
Today we will take a different approach on the topic of Alshon Jeffrey, and try to shift our focus towards the good times.
This article will recap some of Jeffery’s finest moments in a Philly uniform.
DENVER BRONCOS: WEEK 9, 2017
This two TD performance by Jeffery helped contribute to the Eagles 50 point bomb they dropped on the Broncos defense back in 2017.
Jeffery’s two house calls came courtesy of coverage from All-Pro CB Aquib Talib, adding more significance to the scores.
2017 was Jeffery’s best season as an Eagle. In his first season as a pass-catcher for the Birds, Jeffery accumulated nine TD’s alongside 57 receptions. (Keep this production in mind).
After being brought to Philly by way of a one-year “prove-it” deal worth $14 million, the Eagles upped his ante by extending the man to a four year $52 million contract, including $27 million upfront. (Keep the contract in mind).
MINNESOTA VIKINGS: NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Jeffery stepped up big time in the 2017 NFL Playoffs, scoring three times in the Eagles three-game playoff run. Fresh off a First Round-Bye, Jeffery received four catches for 61 yards during the Divisional Round.
The following week, Jeffery would play his best game as an Eagle catching five passes for 85 yards and another TWO TD game, en route to the Birds third Super Bowl berth.
LOS ANGELES RAMS: WEEK 15, 2018
Remember the time Jeffery mossed his own teammate?
In a 2018 Sunday Night Football game versus the L.A Rams, Nick Foles catapulted a deep ball down the middle of the field where it looked like Nelson Agholor was in the position to make the play…
Jeffery capped off his night racking up 160 receiving yards, which tallies out to be his highest amount in midnight green. It always seemed as though Foles and Jeffery had a good connection on the field.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: SUPER BOWL 52
We all knew this was coming.
Jeffery’s most impactful performance as an Eagle came in Super Bowl 52. Jeffery would have easily won Super Bowl 52 MVP if Foles did not have the type of game he had. In his first Super Bowl appearance, Jeffery caught three passes for 73 yards, with his first catch serving as the first score of the Super Bowl. For some portions of the game, Jeffery was matched up against former South Carolina teammate Stephon Gilmore.
Jeffery was a key contributor in the Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory.
OTHER NOTABLE ALSHON JEFFERY GAMES
- Week 2, 2017 @ Kansas City Chiefs: 7 catches 92 yards, 1 TD
- Week 8, 2017 vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2 catches 62 yards, 1 TD
- Week 4, 2018 @ Tennessee Titans: 8 catches 105 yards, 1 TD *Returning from off-season surgery
- Week 6, 2018 @ New York Giants: 8 catches 74 yards, 2 TD’s
- Week 13, 2019 @ Miami Dolphins: 9 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD
Philadelphia has some time to determine what they want to do with Alshon Jeffery. If the Eagles straight-up release Jeffery now, they will suffer a $26 million cap hit for 2020. Releasing him after June 1st (if a new CBA is proposed) will save the team $10 million in 2020, lowering the hit to $16 million. His aforementioned contract has proven to have become a cap casualty for Howie Roseman and company.
2019 saw a decrease in Jeffery’s production as well. Even though he was sidelined by calf and foot injuries during separate spurts of the season, he only brought in 43 passes on an 11.4-yard average. The four TD’s were also at their lowest total over three years.
Finding a trade partner for Jeffery may not be as difficult as we think. The asking price is an estimated mid-round selection in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. Potential trade destinations include the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, but most intriguing of all would be the Jacksonville Jaguars. An Alshon Jeffery and Nick Foles reunion would be refreshing to see.
Don’t be surprised if rumors concerning the Indianapolis Colts come to light within the next few week weeks as well. Familiarity with Frank Reich’s offensive system may allow Jeffery to regain his 2017 form.
Will he stay, or will he go?
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