Every year NFL teams open up their training camps with the idea of taking a look at their new hotshot draft picks, walk on’s desperately seeking to prove themselves, and of course, the players who merely show up as a formality without any real fear of losing their jobs. Training camp is a great thing; without it, undrafted rookies wouldn’t be given their chance to shine; aging players wouldn’t have an outlet to try and make a comeback, and players seeking a position change would lose out on countless valuable practice reps.
On a typical Sunday during the NFL regular season, only fifty-three players will have the privilege of joining each team on the sidelines; of that fifty-three, only forty-six will dress in pads. With only fifty-three making the team, that means that every season a combined extra 1,184 prospects will be given opportunities to fight for a roster spot and it’s all because of training camp. Some will fare better than others (Tim Tebow) just as some will pull off the true Rocky Balboa-esque underdog story. Oddly enough in the City of Brotherly Love itself(Rocky’s old stomping grounds), this almost happened.
Coming into camp, third-year prospect Tyree Jackson was a polarizing player. With all the physical tools desired in a pro quarterback, Jackson’s erratic passing caused him to go undrafted in 2018. After a brief stint on the Buffalo Bills preseason roster Jackson knew his days as a pro could be coming to an end; that’s when he did something bold.
After securing a contract with the Eagles earlier in the offseason it was announced that Jackson would be transitioning from quarterback to tight end. As an Eagles fan, I’ve seen this before and expected nothing of it. During the 2015 preseason Chip Kelly had G.J. Kinne running routes as a last-ditch chance to make an NFL roster and that’s exactly what I expected from Jackson. That was until the first preseason game.
Against Pittsburgh in the opener Jackson looked poised and polished, hauling in 2 receptions for 32 yards, almost twice as many yards as veteran teammate Richard Rodgers. The Tyree Jackson experiment actually looked to be a success. Take some notes, Urban Meyer.
After his great showing against the Steelers, Jackson looked all but determined to ride his momentum to the third tight end spot. Unfortunately, his fairy tale second act was cut short after the team announced a fractured bone in the twenty-three-year-olds back on Wednesday. The timetable on his return is around eight to ten weeks, far after the preseason has ended. The injury makes Richard Rodgers a near-lock to make the roster but it does beg the question: what will the future hold for Tyree Jackson?
Ideally, I believe the Eagles should hold onto him any way possible even if that means the IR list. A prospect as physically gifted as Jackson who was able to make the transition so smoothly must be kept at all costs. He may not contribute during the 2021 campaign but his potential is just too high to risk another team taking a waiver on him. When his back heals in the next two months that 6 foot 7, 245-pound frame will still be there with the same infinite potential as he had pre-injury. Unfortunately, the 2021 Tyree Jackson show is all but over before the real fun could even begin but it’s no reason to be upset. Jackson should spend the next two months studying his playbook and with any luck, he may be able to make a few appearances later in the season. Until then, we can only hope for the best for Jackson’s recovery and long-term development as he continues the difficult journey of trying to become an NFL tight end. After all, history has shown that when quarterbacks decide they want to block NFL defensive ends it usually ends in humiliating fashion. (okay last Tebow joke I promise)
