But things have things changed for him in Philadelphia. Jackson is now secure in the Eagles nest for years to come.
DeSean Jackson was happy to sign on the dotted line Thursday.
The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver already was tagged as the franchise player, and now gets the long-term contract he wanted. The deal was announced on Wednesday.
While the Eagles guarantee at least $15 million dollars of the five year deal, he has a guarantee of his own.
"I'm going to guarantee a Super Bowl," says Jackson. "We've been so close since I've been here, and last year was a really tough year."
Philadelphia stumbled to an 8-8 season last year, but closed with four consecutive victories, building momentum for 2012. The Eagles finished, despite a 4-8 start, just one game behind the New York Giants, who not only won the NFC East, but also the Super Bowl.
On and off the field, he was disgruntled and distracted about his contract, but through it all, the Eagles receiver says he never wanted to play anywhere else.
Now he wants to prove that he is worth every penny.
Jackson held out last training camp because he wanted an extension and let the contract situation affect him.
He was deactivated for a game for being late for a team meeting; dropped more passes than usual and his production dropped.
"I have to take the bar to another level," Jackson said. "I want to shoot for the hall of fame. I want to shoot for Super Bowl. I know that I am a pro bowl receiver, but I have to shoot beyond that."
The Eagles are counting on Jackson to be the dynamic player he was in 2009-10.
"We are thrilled to be able to keep one of the NFL's top playmakers in Philadelphia," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "DeSean is a game breaker. He has the speed and ability to score from anywhere on the field, and he has proven himself to be a big threat for our offense."
Jackson said that during negotiations, he had a heart-to-heart talk with management about putting last year behind him, from the hold out to getting benched.
"I may have been immature," said Jackson. "I might have made some decisions at a young age, but sitting back, going through my 5th year in the NFL, it's like night and day. I'm more mature. I am a totally different person."
Jackson sounds like a new man who will hopefully make good on his word and win a Super Bowl.
"Signing our own players was a big priority for us this offseason," Reid said. "And DeSean was certainly high on our list. We are very excited about his future as an Eagle."
