Eagles’ John Ross thinks he’s faster than when he set his then-record 40-yard dash time at combine; here’s how

PHILADELPHIA – John Ross knows he is as fast as he was when he broke the then record of 4.22 in the NFL Combine seven years ago. Ross knows it sounds crazy to say, but he’s upped the ante.

“I think I’m faster,” Ross said.

Why does Ross think he is faster? His mental state is in the right place, no longer having to bear the pressure of being a top 10 pick in the draft. He’s just John Ross, a wide receiver with the right mindset looking to hit the reset button on his NFL career.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I can run a 4.15 or anything like that,” Ross said. “I just feel better, so I can be consistently faster. That was my biggest goal. Can this guy go every day and look the same every day?

“I feel like I’m getting to the point where I can be consistent with my speed. That’s the biggest blessing I can ask for.”

Ross has had a long journey since being drafted 9th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 draft. Foot, shoulder and knee injuries hampered Ross’ development in Cincinnati, as he quickly fell out of favor in his four years there. Ross threw seven touchdowns in 2018 but never racked up more than 508 yards in a season.

After a year with the New York Giants in 2021, Ross signed a reserve/futures deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2023 before retiring in July. Ross knew immediately that he didn’t want his football career to end.

“In my heart, I know who I am,” Ross said. “I knew I made a mistake. I’m in a much better place mentally, physically and even spiritually. I’m actually grateful it happened.”

Ross admitted he was at the lowest point of his football career at times, but he was able to see everything from a different perspective. He never left the game, coaching his 7-year-old son Kyrie before deciding to return in November.

It took seven months and a veteran wide receiver (DeVante Parker) to retire, but Ross got his chance in Philadelphia. Ross was at the NovaCare Complex during rookie tryouts several weeks ago, showing the Philadelphia Eagles enough to attack him.

“I was a top 10 pick in the draft and we all talk about it all the time, like, man, if we ever get to the point where we have to try out, we’ll probably be done,” Ross said. “But then you get to that point and think you have no other choice.

“I was very grateful and grateful. I was happy to be here. It was an opportunity to play football again.”

Ross had a solid day at Thursday’s OTA open workout, giving him the opportunity to move back up the depth chart. Although Ross is on the third team now, he opened several routes throughout the day. Kenny Pickett made a pass to an open Ross, as did Tanner McKee.

Ross made a 20-yard catch from Pickett and a lateral catch from the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback. He later received praise from wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead and wide receiver Parris Campbell for Pickett’s 20-yard catch, one of the best catches of the day by Eagles wideouts.

There’s a chance Ross could make the Eagles’ 53-man roster. Outside of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, the rest of the wide receiver room is in flux. Campbell is the early favorite to land the slot receiver job, but he will be challenged by Britain Covey and rookie fifth-round pick Ainias Smith. Covey is also one of the best punt returners in the league.

Joseph Ngata and rookie sixth-round pick Johnny Wilson are Ross’ biggest competition on the outside. The Eagles could also bring in another No. 3 wide receiver in the summer months to compete for a roster spot.

The goal is simple for Ross in the summer months. The same one he told himself in the rookie test.

“When I got on that plane, I said to myself, ‘Don’t go home,’” Ross said. “That was my focus and it’s still my focus now.”