A shocking trade brings former Penn State star Jahan Dotson back to Pennsylvania

Penn State has been trying to replace Jahan Dotson since the star wide receiver was drafted 16th overall by the Washington Commanders back in the 2022 NFL Draft. At least now, he’s back in Pennsylvania and Penn State fans from the eastern part of the state get to enjoy one of their favorite former Nittany Lions on Sundays. 

Dotson impressed in 12 games as a rookie, but his yards per reception dropped from 14.9 in 2022 to 10.6 in 2023. Now, with an entirely new regime in Washington after the organization cleaned house, Dotson has struggled to reestablish himself in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, and on Thursday was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Dotson is staying in the NFC East as he was sent along with a draft pick to Philly to exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and two seventh-rounders. 

The trade was a shock, not just because it took place between two rivals, but because it happened so late into the preseason. Dotson will have a short time to acclimate to Kellen Moore's offense in Philadelphia, the Eagle's offseason hire at offensive coordinator who runs a much more complicated scheme than Kingsbury.

In the NFL, Dotson has played primarily out of the slot, where he will feature on a crowded Eagles offense with two elite outside receivers. While his volume of targets could drop, his efficiency with those limited targets should skyrocket.

Now, the Eagles feature Saquon Barkley in the backfield, after he signed in Philadelphia as a free agent this offseason, and Dotson as the team’s WR3 behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. With such a crowded wide receiver room, Dotson won’t be dominating as he did in 2021 when he racked up 1,182 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns for the Nittany Lions, but he is joining a much more dynamic offense and a Super Bowl contender. 

All Penn State fans will be happy to see Dotson in a better situation to succeed, but the ones based in Philadelphia will get to root for one of the most exciting Penn State wide receivers of this past decade even harder. 

This homecoming for the Nazareth, PA native could revitalize his NFL career and should help a Philly offense that struggled during a late-season collapse a year ago.