Eagles fans owe Adoree’ Jackson an apology after shocking stat drop

The NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and Philadelphia Eagles fans can finally exhale over the state of their struggling pass defense. 

General manager Howie Roseman won the deadline (again) by acquiring a freakish edge in Jaelan Phillips, and a pair of veteran cornerbacks in Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander. 

With the cornerback group in particular, Roseman played his typical game of darts, throwing multiple options at the board with minimal impact to the salary cap or future draft capital. Whether it’s Alexander, Cooper DeJean, Jakorian Bennett, or someone else manning the No. 2 outside cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell going forward, the Eagles are better at that spot now than they were entering their Week 9 bye.

Eagles fans are just happy that the Adoree’ Jackson era appears to be coming to an end. The veteran was an odd signing from the start, entering his age-30 season, and it’s been a rollercoaster ride, to put it kindly, over his three starts and six total game appearances in 2025; he enters Week 10 ranked 105th of 112 cornerbacks in Pro Football Focus’ coverage grade.

PFF’s grades are subjective, though. NFL Next Gen Stats tend to paint a more accurate picture using concrete data — and Jackson’s name popped up in a graphic this week that left Eagles fans absolutely stunned (and amused).

Much maligned Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Adoree’ Jackson has been stickier in coverage than fans realize in 2025

The news that broke NFL trade deadline day was the New York Jets trading superstar cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round draft picks.

Gardner had taken a slight step back in coverage this year, allowing a passer rating over 100 when targeted for the first time in his career, per PFF's metrics. Still, the 25-year-old remains one the best all-around corners in the league, as evidenced by Next Gen Stats' tight-window percentage.

According to NGS, Gardner tops the NFL in forcing tight windows, or giving opposing quarterbacks low expected outcomes when targeting him.

This was definitely meant to be a Gardner graphic, but it's quickly taken on a life of its own with Eagles fans.

Anyone watching Eagles games this year would not put Jackson’s name on any list with Sauce Gardner, Pat Surtain and Quinyon Mitchell. It goes to show, though, that Jackson has given the Eagles a much better performance than he’s gotten credit for this year.

Jackson is what he is at this stage of his career. He fits fine as veteran depth on a roster full of young talent; it just gets a little uncomfortable when he’s being asked to start games, and match up with guys like CeeDee Lamb and Puka Nacua.

Really, the criticism should be sent Roseman’s way. The Eagles took a gamble on Kelee Ringo ascending into a starting role in Year 3, and the result has now been three separate cornerback trades to add depth and mitigate damage.

Jackson was never supposed to play a major role in this defense. He’ll likely fade into the back of the depth chart over the second half of the season. 

Read more: Best part of Eagles’ trade for Jaelan Phillips might be what comes next

He definitely deserves his flowers, though, for helping to hold down the fort over Philly’s 6-2 start.