A 37-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the postseason – that’s the last memory Eagles fans have of Jordan Matthews. The former second-round pick has given the Philadelphia faithful plenty to smile about during his two tenures with the team, but now in his third, he’s ready to ‘pick up where he left off’, which is, of course, that stunning playoff touchdown.
The return of Jordan Matthews is an important one for the Eagles offense. After losing DeSean Jackson for the rest of the year just days after the trade deadline passed, the Birds were stuck. Making matters worse was the fact that every other receiver has been struggling in some way.
Alshon Jeffery looks like a shadow of his former self, Nelson Agholor has battled drops and what appears to be a ‘tracking’ deficiency, while Mack Hollins has been unable to do anything of note aside from getting flagged, despite playing in the majority of offensive snaps each week.
Matthews, who will don the #80 jersey one more time as his cousin Jerry Rice once did, comes home at a perfect time. While the on-field production is crucial, the team entered a bye week after a month of turmoil both on and off the field. The passion, charisma, and heart Matthews will undoubtedly bring to a locker room of his friends could well be the spark needed to lift the position group out of its current slump.
Averaging 15 yards per catch last year, Matthews played 84% of his snaps outside, which was a big change from the ‘slot-centric’ role we were accustomed to seeing. We could well be in store for much of the same, which will finally give Wentz an actual weapon on the outside as opposed to someone who is struggling with the fundamental aspects of playing the position and instead earns his paydirt on special teams.
With pressure now building on this receiving corps as the season enters its most crucial point, the injection of energy that Matthews will bring in terms of leadership and on-the-field ability could be the catalyst for a big-tick in offensive production.
He already knows the system, the players, the quarterback, the Coach. It’s just a case of coming home and getting to work…and if Matthews really is raring to pick up where he left off, then his third tenure in Philadelphia may finally grant him that long-term security that has oddly evaded him for so long.
Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
