There was one stretch – from Week 6 through Week 17 – where Jahan Dotson got 10 targets and caught seven passes in 11 games.

Seven catches. Eleven games.

Imagine being a 25-year-old 1st-round wide receiver who had been a full-time starter in his first two seasons and catching seven passes in 2 1/2 months?

The amazing thing is how well Jahan Dotson handled it. Never complained. Never whined. Never got down on himself. He just kept grinding, and eventually it paid off.

“Yeah, you know, younger me wouldn’t have handled that very well,” Dotson said after practice Monday.

“Being a receiver, obviously everyone wants a ball. That’s just a part of who we are. But it’s bigger than me at the end of the day. I got a family to feed. I’ve got to, whatever’s asked of me, whether that’s coming in, running a clear-out route, whether that’s catching a bubble screen, and if that’s going to be my only target today, that’s going to be my only target today. 

“But I’ve got to make the most of it. Being in this offense with a bunch of very high-caliber offensive players you’ve got to make the most of your opportunities.”

The Eagles acquired Dotson from the Commanders last Aug. 22, so he wasn’t here for OTAs or summer work or training camp. 

It wasn’t easy coming to a new team two weeks before opening day, but Dotson said it taught him a very important lesson.

Asked about that comment about “younger me” and when he realized that he couldn’t worry about catches or targets but only making the most of whatever opportunities he got, he said it was when the Commanders traded him to the Eagles for a 3rd-round pick.

“Realizing that in the NFL, your job isn’t safe anywhere you go,” he said. “You’ve got to be on your Ps and Qs. And being able to come here and play alongside great guys and learn from them, it really helped me grow as a player. I feel like I really grew mentally as a player last year. And I feel like it’s gonna really help me this year.”

Dotson finally showed a glimpse why the Commanders made him the 16th pick in 2022 when he caught seven passes for 94 yards from Tanner McKee in the meaningless season ender vs. the Giants. 

Then in the playoffs, he caught the touchdown against the Packers that gave the Eagles the lead for good and then had two big early catches in the Super Bowl, including a 27-yarder down to the 1-yard-line to set up the Eagles’ first touchdown and a 15-yarder on the next drive.

“All the hard work I put in all year to come up big in those moments, kind of the biggest moments you ever think about as a player, it was definitely a pretty cool opportunity I got,” he said. “We were working on that play all week. When Jalen came in the huddle and said my name, I knew it was go time. I knew I had to make a play for the team and I was able to do so.”

The 27-yarder – originally ruled a touchdown – was Dotson’s 2nd-longest play all year, but that’s the kind of play the Eagles are hoping Dotson can make on a regular basis now that he’s got a full preseason in this offense.

“Last year, I think I got here Friday before the last preseason game, so it was kind of playing catch up all year, learning the offense on the fly,” he said. “But this year, being that I was able to be with the guys, all OTAs, all training camp, it’s a good feeling. And it helps me learn the offense and just play faster.

“Last year was just a big learning process for me – learning the offense, learning how things work around here, being introduced to a new organization. But I felt like I picked up on it real fast. Coach Sirianni is really good explaining exactly what he wants you to do, what he demands from you.”

The biggest change for Dotson is his relationship with Hurts. 

A year ago this time, they were still a few weeks from being on the field together. Now, they have a great relationship and you can tell at practice Hurts trusts Dotson and has no hesitation throwing him the football.

“It’s improved tremendously,” Dotson said. “Having the whole OTAs with him, training camp. I was down in Houston throwing with him a couple times. So it’s been big for me, just gaining that trust for him. 

“Him knowing exactly where I’m gonna be on certain routes and kind of getting the familiarity with each other. We’ve been building the connection during this off season. We’re looking forward to taking it into the season.”