Los Angeles native DeSean Jackson is headed back to where it all started. A month after his release from Philadelphia, the three-time Pro Bowler announced he’ll be a Los Angeles Ram in 2021, offering the decorated 34-year-old a chance to finish his career in his home city.
“Going back to the city to end it all,” said Jackson, confirming his decision to join the Rams during an Instagram Live session Sunday. “The Super Bowl’s in L.A. next year.” No team had won the Super Bowl in their home stadium until the Buccaneers accomplished the feat at Raymond James Stadium last month. Could the Rams, led by newcomer Matthew Stafford and the league’s top defense (anchored by three-time Defensive Player of the Year and shoo-in Hall-of-Famer Aaron Donald), make it two straight? D-Jax is counting on it.
Jackson, who starred at Cal-Berkeley (where he was teammates with Marshawn Lynch, among other future NFL talents) before the Eagles drafted him with the 49th pick in 2008, has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, appearing in a combined eight games over his last two seasons. Playoff success has largely eluded Jackson (he’s advanced past the Wild Card stage only once), though the veteran receiver is hoping to rewrite that narrative in Los Angeles, where the Rams boast the fifth-best Super Bowl odds (+1300 on FanDuel Sportsbook) heading into 2021.
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Considered one of the premier deep threats in football throughout his prime, Jackson joins a loaded pass-catching unit featuring perennial 1,000-yard receiver Robert Woods, slot ace Cooper Kupp and promising sophomore Van Jefferson, who broke out for six catches including a four-yard touchdown in the Rams’ playoff loss to Green Bay this past January. A five-time 1,000-yard receiver himself, Jackson ranks among the Eagles’ all-time leaders in career yards (third), yards per game (third) and catches (sixth). The Rams will be Jackson’s fourth NFL team following previous stints with the Eagles (twice), Buccaneers and Washington.
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