Xavier Gipson is set to continue his NFL journey, now with the Philadelphia Eagles. After being released by both the New York Jets and the New York Giants within a 10-day span, Gipson has found a new opportunity with the defending Super Bowl champions. The Eagles picked him up off waivers, as announced on Monday.
The decision to claim Gipson comes following a game where Philadelphia struggled with their kickoff returns during a victory against the Los Angeles Rams. The team experienced issues with two punt returns and also dealt with an injury to wide receiver Darius Cooper, creating a void that Gipson could help fill.
Gipson’s brief but eventful NFL season began with the Jets, where an unfortunate mistake in the opening game against the Steelers led to a 34-32 loss. This miscue, a fumble during the fourth quarter that allowed Pittsburgh to gain possession, resulted in his subsequent release. Jets’ head coach Aaron Glenn was clear about the expectations for discipline and performance, alluding to the fact that turnovers and penalties were detrimental to the team’s success.
Despite the early setbacks, Gipson’s previous contributions to the Jets over two seasons showcase his potential. As an undrafted free agent in 2023, he managed 68 punt returns and 44 kickoff returns, averaging 8.9 and 26.0 yards respectively. Additionally, as a receiver, he logged 27 catches for 268 yards and a touchdown.
Though his time with the Giants did not see any on-field action, the Eagles’ recent struggles in their special teams and Gipson’s past performances suggest he may have an impactful role to play in Philadelphia. This fresh start could be promising for Gipson as he aims to solidify his place in the NFL with a team that has a strong championship pedigree.