In a stunning move that has sent ripples through the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl triumph, have claimed wide receiver and return specialist Xavier Gipson off waivers, adding a dynamic yet unpredictable talent to their roster. The 24-year-old, who has already bounced between three teams in the young 2025 season, brings a mix of electrifying playmaking and a troubling history of fumbles to the defending champions.
Fans of the New York Jets and New York Giants will recognize Gipson all too well. The speedster began the 2025 season with the Jets, where he made headlines for the wrong reasons after a costly fumble in their Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. That miscue, which paved the way for Pittsburgh’s dramatic 34-32 comeback victory at MetLife Stadium, proved to be Gipson’s final act with the Jets, who cut him the very next day.
Just nine days later, the Giants claimed Gipson off waivers on September 11, hoping to harness his explosive potential. However, the experiment was short-lived—Gipson didn’t see a single snap with Big Blue before being waived again. Now, the Eagles have swooped in, betting on his upside while acknowledging the risks that come with his ball-security issues.
The Eagles’ decision to claim Gipson comes on the heels of their own special teams struggles during a Week 3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Punt returner Tank Bigsby fumbled twice, raising red flags, while undrafted rookie wideout Darius Cooper suffered a shoulder injury, limiting his availability after playing just six offensive and six special teams snaps. With kickoff and punt return units needing a spark, Gipson’s resume as a return specialist made him an appealing target.
Gipson, who signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2023, has racked up an impressive 68 punt returns and 44 kick returns across 35 career games. His averages of 8.9 yards per punt return and 26.0 yards per kick return highlight his ability to flip field position in an instant. His crowning moment came in the Jets’ 2023 season opener against the Buffalo Bills, when he electrified the home crowd with a game-winning punt return touchdown in overtime—a play still celebrated as one of the franchise’s most iconic moments.
While Gipson’s highlight-reel plays make him a tantalizing addition, his propensity for fumbles is impossible to ignore. The third-year pro has fumbled 10 times in his career, a staggering number for a player whose primary role is on special teams. His latest blunder in Week 1 against the Steelers was the final straw for the Jets, and it remains to be seen whether the Eagles’ coaching staff can help him shore up his ball security.
Beyond his return skills, Gipson offers depth at wide receiver, where he’s recorded 27 receptions for 268 yards and one touchdown over two seasons. While not a primary offensive weapon, his speed and versatility could carve out a role in Philadelphia’s high-powered attack.
To make room for Gipson, the Eagles waived offensive lineman Kenyon Green, a former first-round pick acquired from the Houston Texans during the offseason. Green’s departure marks his first release since training camp, signaling Philadelphia’s commitment to bolstering their special teams unit ahead of a pivotal stretch.
The undefeated Eagles (3-0) now prepare for a marquee showdown against the equally unbeaten Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0) on Sunday. With Gipson in the fold, Philadelphia hopes to stabilize their return game and add a game-breaking element to their special teams. But the question looms: will Gipson’s high-risk, high-reward style propel the Eagles to new heights, or will his fumble-prone ways prove costly in their quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions?