Myles Jack once signed a $1,775,000 to join the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, giving him his third NFL opportunity and, in the process, prevented him from diving into a potential career as an electrician and plumber.
However, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the versatile linebacker is retiring from the game on the eve of the 2023 season.
What Myles Jack Walks Away From and What Could Happen Next
Jack leaves the NFL at the age of 27. He spent six of his years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted him at No. 36 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft out of UCLA.
Jack wasn’t just someone who put together defensive snaps on film during his Bruin years, he also lined up in the backfield and became one of the more versatile players in the nation.
With the Jags, Jack played sparingly during his rookie season, with 10 starts and 24 total tackles. But he began to blossom in his second NFL campaign by snatching 90 tackles with 66 solo stops. Then, in Year 3, he reached his first career 100-tackle season with 107 stops.
Jack went on to put together two more 100-tackle campaigns — 118 in 2020 and 108 in 2021 — before his departure from Jacksonville. He went on to sign a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2022 offseason. In 13 starts for Pittsburgh, Jack totaled 104 tackles, 61 solo stops, and had three tackles for loss.
Before latching on with the Eagles, Jack told NBC Sports Philadelphia that he wasn’t just looking into a potential career through a trade school, but he was playing the popular shooter video game “Call of Duty” while also working out, hoping for one more opportunity.
“I’m a hustler, so I feel like I can do anything. I like to work,” Jack explained on Aug. 10. “I just couldn’t sit at home. I’ve been blessed to make a lot of money so I could just retire and sit at the house, but I’m too bored. My mind is too much. I just want to be innovative. I don’t know, if a zombie apocalypse happens, I want to be able to like build something or like fix something. You know what I mean?”
Regarding the last sentence from 10 days ago, perhaps the potential electrician and plumbing career could come into play.
What Happens to the Eagles Now?
Jack’s last league appearance was the 18-18 tie versus the Cleveland Browns. He was involved in 29 plays on the Eagles’ defense and added three more via special teams.
For Philadelphia, they join the Los Angeles Rams in having veteran signings who opted to retire either during camp or preseason (running back Sony Michel retired during Rams camp after rejoining the team).
The Eagles are now down to 11 linebackers in the room with the Jack news. It’s not determined if Philly will look into the waiver wire to fill the 12th spot that is now vacated. Jack was mostly seen as a depth piece, with the Eagles drafting Nolan Smith in the first round and luring back Haason Reddick.
Philadelphia also must decide its round of cuts between now and Aug. 29 — the latter date representing the 53-man roster cutoff day.