This time last year, Jahan Dotson was grinding through the heat of Training Camp, but it wasn’t in Philly.
Dotson spent virtually all of last offseason with the Washington Commanders before getting traded to the Eagles two days before the final preseason game. From there, it was a race against the clock.
The wide receiver had to uproot his life, get acquainted with a new team, and learn a different offense just weeks before the regular-season opener. But now, he will have an entire offseason as an Eagle, and he can feel the difference.
“It’s huge. Coming in last year, I think I got here the Friday before the last preseason game. So it was kind of playing catch up all year, learning the offense on the fly,” Dotson said. “But this year, being that I was able to be with the guys all OTAs (Organized Team Activities), all Training Camp, it’s a good feeling. It helps me learn the offense and just play faster.”
Dotson said it was a process getting up to speed last season, but he feels like he picked up on everything “real fast.” He credited Head Coach Nick Sirianni for his clear messaging on what he wants from players and said spending extra time with Wide Receivers Coach Aaron Moorehead helped him catch up. Still, he knows having a full summer with the Eagles will pay dividends.
Part of that summer included throwing sessions with Jalen Hurts in Houston. Dotson was training there with his former Penn State teammate Parker Washington and reached out to Hurts. The two connected several times.
“It’s been big for me, just gaining that trust for him, him knowing exactly where I’m going to be on certain routes, and kind of getting the familiarity with each other,” Dotson said. “It’s been real good. We’ve been building a connection during this offseason. I’m looking forward to taking it into the season.”