The Philadelphia Eagles recently faced a significant roster change when nine-year veteran DeVante Parker decided to retire. Parker, who began his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, spent seven seasons there before moving to the New England Patriots for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He then signed a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 14, only to announce his retirement on May 20.
Throughout his nine-season career, Parker amassed 5,266 receiving yards and 56 touchdowns. His standout season came in 2019, with 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns. He was expected to be the Eagles’ WR3 alongside DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, but his retirement leaves that spot likely to be filled by Parris Campbell.
In response to Parker’s departure, the Eagles signed wide receiver John Ross to a one-year deal. Ross, who had retired before the 2023 season, has been working towards a return to the NFL. Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017, injuries plagued Ross’s career, preventing him from completing a full season. His best performance was in 2019, where he recorded 506 yards and three touchdowns in eight games.
After his stint with the Bengals, Ross signed a one-year contract with the Giants in 2021, followed by a futures-reserve contract with the Chiefs in January 2023. However, he chose to retire in July 2023. Ross participated in the Eagles’ rookie camp tryouts and impressed enough to earn a one-year contract. Known for his speed, he clocked a record 4.22-second 40-yard dash at the 2017 NFL Combine, surpassing Chris Johnson’s 4.24-second record. Unfortunately, his combine performance was cut short due to strained calves.
John Ross’s career Stats:
| Season | Team | Games Played | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Cincinnati Bengals | 13 | 21 | 210 | 7 |
| 2019 | Cincinnati Bengals | 8 | 28 | 506 | 3 |
| 2020 | Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 2 | 17 | 0 |
| 2021 | New York Giants | 10 | 11 | 224 | 1 |
| Total | – | 37 | 62 | 957 | 11 |
Please note that this table includes his regular-season performance and does not account for any preseason or postseason appearances.
Ross was once considered a top wide receiver prospect, but injuries hampered his progress. Despite these setbacks, his recent performance at the Eagles’ rookie camp has given him another chance in the NFL. He will need to prove himself through training camp and preseason to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, potentially adding valuable depth and experience to the Eagles’ receiving corps.