Former Philadelphia Eagles WR Jason Avant returns in teaching role

A familiar face returns to the Philadelphia Eagles nest.

Former Philadelphia Eagles fan-favorite Jason Avant hasn’t been a stranger since he officially called it a career after ten NFL seasons, eight of them with the “Birds”. The man who opened and runs “Launch”, a trampoline park in Deptford, New Jersey got fans of the midnight green to their television sets as he competed in an episode of American Ninja Warrior. He’s also been a visible part of several Eagles-related media ventures.

If you’re one of those people who are probably thinking about how well he held down Philly’s slot position over the course his eight seasons in Eagles green and perhaps thinking that the “Birds” haven’t had a slot guy as good as he was since his departure (no, Nelson Agholor doesn’t count), you’re probably going to be happy to know that he’ll be returning to the Eagles to help with their wide receivers in 2020. In other words, a unit that has been criticized for his toughness and issues with dropping the ball will now be coached by Aaron Moorehead and mentored by one of the more sure-handed and toughest wide receivers in Eagles history.

Here’s a reunion that Philadelphia Eagles fans can stand up and cheer about.

Avant earns this unique opportunity thanks to the NFL’s Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Fellowship. Here’s a quote from Mr. Avant himself, courtesy of the Eagles’ official team site.

"I’m so excited and grateful to be here, to help a group of very talented young players. I was a technical receiver. I wasn’t the fastest receiver. I wasn’t the biggest guy. I was able to get open by getting off the line of scrimmage and being precise. That’s what I hope to help teach these receivers. It’s a very talented group."

Here’s more from the man who made the number “81” look good.

"I was a coach when I played. I was the coach in the receivers’ room. I approached the Eagles a few months ago and, at the time, they didn’t know what training camp was going to look like. Then Doug (Pederson) and Howie (Roseman) along with Aaron Moorehead gave me the go-ahead and here I am."

There’s no reason not to be excited about the news if you love the “Birds”. Avant hauled in 326 career receptions for 3,095 yards and 13 trips to the end zone in 124 career games as an Eagle. That includes both eight playoff games and 56 career starts.

Oh, and by the way, you’re right. Yes, he and DeSean Jackson were teammates if you’re a little younger and were wondering about that. It’s still hard to believe sometimes, but “D-Jax” is the old man in the room now. His former teamates are turning into coaches. Well, hey. We all have to age at some point right?