Recently signed Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Miles Jack has informed the team that he will be hanging up his cleats after seven seasons, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday.
Jack, just two weeks after his 28th birthday, played in both of the Eagles’ preseason games and recorded five tackles.
Now, it looks like he’ll miss the team’s final exhibition against the Indianapolis Colts and call it a career before he even plays a regular game.
He joined the Eagles earlier this month after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. During his first press conference, he told reporters of his retirement considerations before the trip to Philadelphia.
Jack said his release prompted him to consider going to trade school to become an electrician or plumber. But it was safety Budda Baker at the Arizona Cardinals that convinced him to train for another chance in the NFL. The two were high school friends and trained together in Scottsdale before Jack got a call.
“That’s just how life goes,” Jack said after the Eagles signed him with fellow linebacker Zach Cunningham. “One week you’re on the couch playing ‘Call of Duty,’ the next week you’re playing with [NFC] Champions.”
The former UCLA defender was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Upon his release from college, there were questions about the condition of his knee, which was described as being affected by a degenerative condition.
In six years with the Jaguars, Jack recorded three seasons with at least 100 tackles. He was released last season and led the Steelers in tackles last season with 104. He started 95 games over seven seasons with the Jaguars and Steelers, tallying 617 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
The possibilities are endless as Jack explores his new chapter. Based on his introductory comments with the Eagles, he wouldn’t be just chilling on the couch.
“I love working, I can’t just sit at home. I’m blessed to make a lot of money. So I can retire and sit at home,” he said. “But I’m so bored. My mind is so much. So I just want to be innovative. I don’t know, if a zombie apocalypse happens, I want to be able to build something or fix something.”
Whatever Jack does next, it’s sure to be something interesting.