Olamide Zaccheaus is officially parting ways with the Philadelphia Eagles after signing a one-year contract last year. This move marks a significant change in his career trajectory as he seeks new opportunities.

The standout alumnus from St. Joe’s Prep is set to join the Washington Commanders, where he will reunite with Brian Johnson, the former Eagles offensive coordinator, who now serves as the Commanders’ assistant head coach and offensive game coordinator. This reunion could reignite Zaccheaus’s potential in an environment conducive to his skills.

Zaccheaus will also reconnect with quarterback Marcus Mariota, with whom he played during their time in Atlanta before both moved to Philadelphia. Additionally, he shares a history with new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, having played together on the Falcons from 2019 to 2020. These connections could prove beneficial as he transitions to his new team.

Last season, the Eagles brought in Zaccheaus to compete for the coveted third wide receiver position alongside Quez Watkins. However, he began the season as the fourth receiver and never quite ascended the depth chart, despite making the most of his limited opportunities. Notably, while the Eagles faced struggles when targeting Watkins, positive outcomes often followed when Zaccheaus was involved in plays.

Throughout the season, Zaccheaus showcased his capabilities, catching 10 out of 20 targeted passes for a total of 164 yards, averaging an impressive 16.4 yards per catch, alongside two crucial touchdowns and zero drops. His touchdowns came in high-pressure situations:

The second of his two touchdowns, illustrated in the header image of this article, was particularly remarkable, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure and make impactful plays when it mattered most.

Beyond just his offensive contributions, Zaccheaus was also known for his willingness to do the dirty work on special teams, logging 112 snaps, which accounted for 25% of the team’s total special teams plays. He made a notable contribution by catching a fake punt throw from Braden Mann late in the season against the Cowboys. Furthermore, his exceptional downfield blocking helped set up several catch-and-run touchdown scores for teammates DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. It’s puzzling that he didn’t receive more offensive playing time during his tenure with the Eagles.

Regardless of his past with Philadelphia, Zaccheaus is now moving on to new horizons. With the Eagles bringing in both DeVante Parker and Parris Campbell, it seemed unlikely they would re-sign him. The team may also look to the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft to add a rookie wide receiver to compete with these veterans for the WR3 and WR4 roles, indicating a shift in their roster strategy.