If there is one player on the Philadelphia Eagles who is facing more pressure to perform in 2025 than anyone else on the roster, it's probably wide receiver Jahan Dotson.
After the Eagles decided to not pick up Dotson's fifth-year option on his rookie contract, it sent a clear message that he must prove himself worthy of an extra season in Philly. That's part of the reason why Bleacher Report writer Kristopher Knox predicted Dotson to be the biggest bust on the Eagles in 2025.
"The Philadelphia Eagles traded for wide receiver Jahan Dotson last August, hoping that he would finally provide the reliable WR3 the offense has long lacked. With A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith continuing to dominate the target share, though, Dotson finished the year with a career-low 216 yards and no touchdowns.
Now entering a contract year, Dotson has one final chance to show that Philly didn't whiff by trading a third-round pick and two seventh-rounders for a fifth-rounder and the Penn State product. Given Dotson's pedestrian production (1,257 yards in three seasons) and the fact that the Eagles rarely involve their third receiver, don't expect that to happen."
It's a make-or-break season for Dotson in Philly
There's no getting around it. Dotson must perform well above what he did in 2024 if he has any chance of getting a new contract with the team in 2026.
After being traded from the Washington Commanders before the season started last year, Dotson put up a lot of dud performances. He finished with 19 receptions for 216 yards. His only touchdown of the season came in the NFC Wild Card against the Green Bay Packers and nearly had another one against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
The postseason showed more of what Dotson could do, but even with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert missing time throughout the season to injuries, it still didn't elevate Dotson's performance. That's the most disappointing part of him as Dotson had his chances of proving to be the number three man, but got outperformed by second string tight end Grant Calcaterra. Not a good look.
Dotson has more competition going into training camp with Terrace Marshall Jr., Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith, and an emerging Danny Gray. It would be a surprise to see Dotson not win the WR3 job, but Marshall and Gray have stuck out at offseason workouts as guys who could surprise some.
Read more: ESPN believes Eagles' quiet offseason paid off with high grade on moves
2025 is the biggest season of Dotson's career. Even if it doesn't mean a return to Philadelphia, he is playing for his next contract and has to put up better numbers. A duplicate of 2024 and he might be waiting awhile for his next NFL job.
