The Eagles announced on Wednesday the release of defensive tackle Malik Jackson and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
Jackson, a former Pro Bowl selection, was signed prior to free agency in 2019 with the intent of forming one of the league's best 1-2 punches at defensive tackle along with perennial Pro Bowl standout Fletcher Cox. Unfortunately, Jackson suffered a season-ending foot injury in the Week 1 win over Washington. He returned to action in 2020 as a part-time starter following the addition of Javon Hargrave. Jackson contributed 2.5 sacks and 42 total tackles in 15 games, playing just a shade under 50 percent of the snaps last season.
Jeffery arrived in Philadelphia along with wide receiver Torrey Smith in 2017 to provide proven playmaking talent at the position. A two-time 1,000-yard receiver with the Chicago Bears, Jeffery looked to regain that form following a couple of down seasons.
At 6-3, 218 pounds, Jeffery was a contested-catch weapon, using his big body and leaping ability to thwart defensive backs. Jeffery suffered a shoulder injury during Training Camp in that 2017 campaign. It turned out to be a torn rotator cuff, but it didn't keep him out of the lineup. He caught his first of a team-best nine receiving touchdowns against Kansas City in Week 2 and followed that up with the last-second reception to set up Jake Elliott's record-setting, game-winning 61-yard field goal in the home opener against the Giants.
Jeffery brought a presence and a swagger to the offense. During the Eagles' nine-game win streak, Jeffery was outstanding with four touchdowns in a three-game span, including one against his former team. He was on the receiving end of Carson Wentz's franchise-record 33rd touchdown pass in Los Angeles against the Rams, a win that clinched the division title.
Jeffery helped deliver the franchise's first Super Bowl title, setting the team records for most receiving yards (219) and touchdowns (3) in a postseason. He posted two touchdowns and 85 yards in the rout of the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game, then hauled in a spectacular throw from Nick Foles for the first touchdown of Super Bowl LII against the Patriots.
After missing the first three games of the 2018 regular season because of the shoulder injury from the previous year, Jeffery posted his best numbers as an Eagle in terms of receptions (65) and receiving yards (843), including a monster 160-yard performance against the Rams. He accounted for another 145 yards in the postseason, but his drop at the end of the Divisional Round loss to the Saints resulted in an interception and spoiled a chance for a come-from-behind victory. Fans rallied behind Jeffery, including a second-grade student in West Chester, Pennsylvania, who wrote the wide receiver a heartfelt letter of support. Jeffery was so moved by the gesture that he visited the class to show his appreciation.
Injuries marred Jeffery's final two seasons with the Eagles. He played in just 10 games in 2019, missing three of the final four games that helped catapult the Eagles into the playoffs. This past season, Jeffery had a career-low six receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown in seven games.
The Eagles tried to get Jeffery back in the mix toward the end of last season. Now, they can focus on the young players at the position as they prepare for 2021 under new Head Coach Nick Sirianni.
