There wasn't much cause for enthusiasm in the Eagles' 26-3 loss to the Vikings to close the preseason Saturday.
That is, unless you ask the newly acquired wide receiver Jahan Dotson.
Dotson joined most of Philadelphia's starters on the sidelines for the affair, having been traded just two days prior, but the atmosphere and his nearby roots still managed to amp the wide receiver up for the season ahead.
"I got goosebumps leaving the field today," Dotson said. "Growing up only an hour, an hour and a half away from here, you understand the passion. You understand how much people care about the Eagles. Seeing the fans go crazy literally after a third preseason game, it was exciting. It got me a little excited to be here."
Dotson, who attended high school and college in Pennsylvania, played his first two years in the NFL several hours down I-95 from Philly for the Commanders.
But after Dotson's promising rookie season gave way to a terribly inefficient follow-up effort, Washington's new brass of general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn shipped the former first-rounder within the NFC East.
The rare intradivisional agreement has provided Dotson a fresh start with two years on his rookie contract, including this season still available to prove he's worthy of seeing his fifth-year option exercised.
That, as well as the allure of the frenzied Philly faithful, is enough to reinvigorate most players. However, Dotson also noted how much he's looking forward to working with a roster chock-full of playmakers.
"In all of my years of playing, I've never been on a team with this much talent," he said. "I'm not only excited to play with them, I'm excited to learn."
Philadelphia's offensive riches begin at quarterback with Jalen Hurts, who has blossomed in recent years as a dual-threat signal-caller capable of sustaining two stud wide receivers in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. In the backfield, there's another former division rival, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert provides yet another threat as one of the league's more trusty tight ends.
Where Dotson fits into this equation remains to be seen. He'll have plenty to prove after his old team soured on him so quickly, something he recognizes and is eager to do.
"I know the type of person that I am, I want to get on the field right away, so I'm going to do everything possible in my power to make sure I'm ready when that opportunity comes," Dotson said.
As for his opportunity to face the Commanders, he'll need to exercise a bit more patience. Assuming he carves out some type of role and sticks with the Eagles, Dotson will have two such chances to see the team that traded him -- only not until Weeks 11 and 16.
"It was a shock, you know? Just because all I know in the NFL is Washington Commanders," Dotson said regarding his initial reaction to the trade. "But at the end of the day you know it's a business. I understand that, very much so."
He later added: "I'm not gonna take it personal until I see Washington."
